After sleeping through a hundred million centuries we have finally opened our eyes on a sumptuous planet, sparkling with color, bountiful with life. within decades we must close our eyes again. isn’t it a noble, an enlightened way of spending our brief time in the sun, to work at understanding the universe and how we have come to wake up in it? -Dawkins


Our corner unit on the 19th floor in Shanghai.


The view of the city from the living room; it's very smoggy here.


We are a block away from Jing'An Temple.


My new nails.


Din Tai Fung; renowned soup dumpling house. 
I believe there is a location in Los Angeles and all around the world.



I have been in Shanghai for almost a week now. This city is fascinating in its diversity, rapid growth and culture. The first thing that hits you when you arrive in Shanghai is the smell; food. Intoxicating smells of flavorful dishes flow into the streets. This could be a good or bad thing. If you are full; its bad, if you are hungry...well I guess that's bad too.

I was really surprised by how international this city was. My first weekend here I had amazing French food and foie gras, cheese and wine. Since then I've had Taiwanese food, Yunnan dishes, Japanese, and of course local Chinese food. 

Cheap
It's so cheap here! I had my nails done for $6USD. Next up: wash and blow dry for around $2. With prices like these, you could afford a blow out and manicure every day if you wanted. China also has a very large massage culture. I'm not referring to the fabled 'happy ending' types, but legitimate reflexology and the likes. I had my first massage last weekend for around 88RMB ($13USD) at a really nice place called Cogen. Strongly considering trying cupping next. 

Today I am meeting up with a Shanghai friend who was introduced to me by a friend in New York. Her English isn't that proficient, nor is my Chinese. This should be interesting.