Shanghai Alleys

If you make it to China, be sure to spend a day getting lost in the city. As long as you have 30 kuai and your hotel card, you don't have to worry. Cab drivers don't speak English, but they can read a hotel card, and with the exception of Dongguan and Shenzhen, most of China is very safe. It is one of the positive things about Communism: the government doesn't tolerate much foolishness. One of the negative things is that I can't get to my blog because they have blocked it.

There is a tremendous amount of redevelopment going on in every city, but down the alleyways, you can still see old China at its best. The people on the left are watching a card game - another spectator sport in China. On the right is an outdoor restaurant that is idle in the afternoon.

There are millions of little lanes tucked away in China. My first apartment was a lane house that was rehabbed. The inside was fantastic - 15 ft ceilings, beautiful molding, an ornate winding staircase and modern bathrooms/kitchen (thankfully). There are many old lane houses like mine down these little lanes, often among lane homes occupied by Chinese families that have not been renovated.

It was a beautiful day and this barber didn't want to work inside.