Gone skiing

Some idea of the global village: We had dinner last night in a French restaurant with a fellow we had met in Hong Kong at Rotary and again here. Pico is of Indian heritage, raised in Gibralter, has lived in Hong Kong since the early 70's and has been coming to Shanghai on business twice a year since '94., so his perspective was fascinating. We had a drink first in the Cloud 9 Bar (the highest bar in the world!) at the Grand Hyatt in the New Pudung business area. Pico reports none of this area was there in '94. It was farm land when he first starting coming to Shanghai. Millions of people live and work there now.
We couldn't visit Shanghai without a trip on the maglev train. We went to the station on the metro system to check out how it worked(pretty simply really once you got into it.. all instructions in English and Chinese) and then on the maglev train to the airport. The train runs somehow on magnets and reaches speeds of 431km. and travels 30kgs (19 miles) in seven minutes, and was a most exciting ride. They plan on adding more to this line in the future.
Beijing may be very excited about the 2008 Olympics, but here in Shanghai it is the 2010 World's Fair. I cannot imagine what can happen here in another four years!
I have just had my hair done, and althought the English was a bit fractured, the service was terrific. Best shampoo and manicure ever, with lots of massaging to go with it. I couldn't work out where the girls took their training, but it was wonderful wherever.
I mention this, because it was only 20 or so years ago, Mao cultural revolution took millions from Shanghai and put them in the county. The children of those displaced have been allowed to return for the last ten years or so from their peasant life in the country. They are all only children, of course. And now they are working in smart hotels giving manicures!
Interesting fact, people are not just citizens of China, they also are citizens from regions. So, if you are not from Shanghai you can work here, but you have no benefits from here, ie health and education etc. But it does not stop many from wanting to come to the land of milk and honey that many feel is Shanghai.
If you and your spouse are have no siblings (most would fall into this catagory) you may now have two children.
It may be time to buy General Motors stock again. They are very big in China. The Chinese have lots of choice for cars. Every maker in the world is here cashing in on the new prosperity and they also make a very popular brand of their own cars. However, for some reason they are loving the Buick ! Hundreds of thousands were sold last year. And GM is going to help the Chinese with a hydrogen car. Lots of press about this.
Pico says the big problem for the government is this. Hundreds of millions of people here are really started to become consumers. Unfortunately, that still leaves a BILLION or so you are still very impoverished. One just has to hope they don't get too mad.
That is it from Shanghai. Thanks to all who are letting me know you are reading!
We are off on the sleeper train to Beijing.-
as ever Katie