Shanghai: The Next Bubble

In Shanghai, I saw several things that really amazed me.

From the swanky bars, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques of Xingtiandi to the inconspicuous alleyways of Taikang Lu, “incubating” the next generation of fashion designers and artists, I saw places there that rival the swankiest of neighborhoods in Manhattan or Harajuku in Tokyo. The prices were high even by western standards yet many of the local Shanghainese shopped, sipped and strolled frivolously as I imagine their counterparts do in Beverly Hills or on Fifth Avenue in NYC.

As if that were not enough, the next day, our broker took us to see some of the finest new villas and apartment complexes in Pudong. We passed Spanish style villas complete with two car garages, private gardens and furry, short-legged pets; gated high rise buildings with sweeping views of the Bund; elite boarding style secondary schools and luxurious parks. All around us, we felt the buzz of excitement, wealth is being created in Shanghai, and WE CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS IT!

Day 5: Its 2am in Chicago

Six cities in six days. Yep, I love traveling. This has been my schedule lately

4/30 HUANGSHAN – walking around in mysterious man-made grottoes near Huangshan, no one knows who made them and why

5/1 SHANGHAI – last day in China after a whirlwind tour of Shanghai and Huangshan

5/2 TOKYO – stopover day, dinner and lunch at Ji Soo’s place in Akasaka, randomly saw a friend in the bay area and finally a nice long sleep

5/3 SF – moving boxes all day (thanks to Marvin and Ariel for storing my stuff and my bro for lending me his car)

5/4 CHICAGO – visiting friends from college, nice dinner at a local izakaya and watching Ali G on DVD

5/5 HANOVER, NH – going to DMS visiting days tomorrow!