What a Confusing Place

It appears the internet police have begun blocking my access to the blog. Fortunately, they have not been thorough enough, although I can no longer access the internet on my own laptop and must now use my roommates. Nevertheless, the cause of freedom demands that I carry forward the noble cause that is Moosedung.

Today two friends and I travelled to one of Shanghai's famous tailor-made clothing districts in search of cheap suits, jackets, and qi pai's. We found all of this and more, although our bargaining skills are apparently quite poor. We failed to actually get fitted for anything because we realized we were not getting fair price quotes. However, we shall certainly return, and we shall prevail, perhaps with the help of a native Shanghainese.

In these places you can get everything from tailor-made tuxedos to corduroy jackets to silk ties, but of course the bargaining process is quite draining and rather perplexing at first.

After this outing, Colin (of racketeering fame) and I took off on foot through the neighboring district. In fact, we were apparently the first white men ever to have discovered this remote district of Shanghai, or so it appeared. With the backdrop of new skyscrapers, this district featured the medieval-looking streets of older Shanghai and lots of little shops beside the road. With cheap cigars in our mouths, Chinese 750ml beers in our hands, and the all-powerful American Dollar in our pockets, we blazed a trail through a fascinating melee of fish mongers, chicken mongers, fruits stands, frog-salesmen, and mongers of all other animals known to the Orient.

Colin braved a large portion of jiaozi's (dumplings) and his stomach-fate is yet to be determined, though he swears I missed the best meal he's had yet in Shanghai. We feasted on man tou's and finally emerged on the other side of the market as changed men.

This city is incredibly perplexing for being so schizophrenic. You step off the main drag and your in the nineteenth century. The police monitor your internet browsing and yet everyone is generally very gracious. Many things to ponder.