This was the saddest day of the whole trip. Dave and I were going to Shanghai by train in the morning. My dad, aunt and uncle were going back to Nanjing. Finally it was time to say goodbye to them. I prepared myself for the moment, but when the time came, it still hit me hard. I couldn't even look at my dad in the eyes when he spoke. He said: "your trip is too short, we can only do the best we can. When you have time in the future, come back more often ...... I am fine, don't worry about me." I could no longer hold back my tears. Seeing me cry made my dad cry too. It was a very sad moment. Ever since I was a little girl, my dad wanted me to go to a western country to pursue a better life. I did what he wanted, came to the U.S. with nothing but two large suitcases after college. Life was hard initially, but I made it. I think my life is better now than it would if I had stayed in China. Yet I have this forever guilt that I left my dad behind, half way around the world, alone.
So I left Suzhou with a heavy heart. The ride to Shanghai was really short, only 30 minutes. It was a beautiful day in Shanghai. Our mood was lifted by the clear sky. We found our hotel and checked in.
1. Our hotel. I found the hotel (Jin Jiang Metropole Hotel Shanghai) on Expedia. I liked its location (only two blocks to the Bund) and price ($56/night + fees).
2. Our room. It was clean and comfortable.
After lunch, we walked to People's Park. I noticed there were hundreds of people congregating near the park entrance, many of them holding some kind of paper. I walked closer to read what's on it. It turned out they were personal ads, most likely for their kid, with age, gender, education level, career, salary, house ownership ...... and what they are looking for in future spouse. I can't believe this is happening in 2007 in Shanghai.
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6. Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, near People's Park.
7. Near People's Park.
8. Near People's Park.
9. Shanghai Museum.
10. Nanjing Road, a pedestrian street full of shops, people and energy, day and night.
(To be continued)
