July 20, 2010 - Shanghai, China

Asian Pearl Tower in Shanghai

"I'm sure there's a wish for Shangri-la in everyone's heart..."
~ Jane Wyatt in Lost Horizon movie

Shangri'la to Shanghai. It took six days to drive from Kunming to Zhongdian, and less then an hour to fly back. The physical shock of arriving in Shanghai is overwhelming. Coming from 50 degrees F on the Tibetan Plateau to 100 degrees F on the Pacific Ocean shoreline.

Shanghai statistics & information:

+ First metropolis to have a decreasing birthrate within China, but the cities population is increasing from western China migrants

+ Built on trade of opium, silk, tea, and international finance

+ Home of Yoa Ming, the famous Chinese basketball player

+ Releases 50,000 drivers licenses per month

+ Average downtown apartment costs 3 million U.S. dollars

Embarking on a late night visit to the historical Bund waterfront, we were surrounded by thousands of people with limited room to maneuver. They say American's take in the world with their eyes and Chinese's take in the world with their cameras. Flashing camera lights were everywhere documenting Shanghai's night skyline, a large statue of Chairman Mao, each other... and strangely the few blonde westerners in the crowd.

At the end of the day, all I kept thinking was, "Take me back to Tibet."