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Shanghai, China - Wuhan, ChinaOct 19, 2007
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Oct 19
Today at 3 p.m. We'll be flying to Wuhan. They picked up our luggage early in the morning and were taken to a fantastic fresh market in the Shang Tuyang neighborhood. It is hugh and we were very impressed with the cleanliness and freshness of their products. I have not seen such a variety of fish in my life. They are maintained ALIVE in water that they change every hour. They clean it for you when you buy it. So no flies and no smell. The produce and fruits are sprinkled with water very often. They have live chickens and ducks. You choose the one you want and they kill it and clean it for you. The aisles are wide and the people drive their bicycles and scooters through. Talking about a lazy way to do your shopping.
Our tour guide bought delicious pumpkin seed cookies for all of us to try. The market also sells cooked food which they sell by the pound. All houses have refrigerators but the majority are very small because they prefer to buy their food freshdaily. By the way, they can bargain at the markets. Another thing, Chinese people do not eat cheese of any kind. So no cheese on pizzas or pasta. No good.
General additional info. Shanghai is getting ready for the 2010 World's Fair so there's even more new construction going on.
Farmers, factory worker teachers, and medical doctors are government employees. Retirement age for farmers and factory workers (all under the classification of farmers) is 55 for men and 50 for women. All others fall under the classification of Chinese Population and they can retire with 70 percent of the salary they earned the last year of work. These individuals do not be supported by their children.
Every province in China has its own dialect or language like Mandarin, Cantones etc.
OK now back to my diary. We took the Rapid (120 miles an hour) to go to Wuhan, another big city. Driving would have taken us two hours. This train took 20 minutes. Very comfortable and clean. I forgot to mention that during rush hour some wagons of the trains and subways fold down so more passengers fit if all are standing.
We visited a great Senior Center but it is different in that seniors come here to socialize, learn music, painting, using or learning the use of computers and internet, etc. No meals are served and no sleeping facilities. It is free.
They had a show for us. They danced (The slit of their long dresses upened all the way up. Very nice legs and thighs, no veins). They also had a modeling show and they all loved to have their pictures taken to see themselves on the screens. Very entertaining.
Another point of interest...back before the 60's, 3- and 4-story buildings did not have bathrooms or kitchens. All residents on a particular floor shared the only kitchen and bathroom the building had on each floor.
After lunch, we were taken to the new Pudong Airport. Very futuristic. On the way, we had the chance to see the Maglev train. It does not have wheels. It moves by levitation and runs 252 miles an hour. It just whispers by. If you are not paying attention you'll miss it completely.
Our flight to Wanhu was smooth. One hour and ten mins. Upon arrival, we were transported to our river cruise ship, Princess Elaine.
