Our flight from Chicago to Shanghai was very comfortable. We got to sit in a two-seat row by the window, and there were little personal TVs with a variety of movies and TV shows. We got fed quite regularly, and when I felt sleepy I curled up and slept. I sleep curled up anyway, and it's singularly handy for plane rides. I didn't even touch my computer or the novel I had brought, just watched TV, read travel guides, and slept.
The first thing that happened in Shanghai was that some health inspectors came onto the plane (we were sternly enjoyed to stay in our seats) and took everyone's temperature with an infrared guy pointed at the forehead. They were ludicrously shielded from exposure, white-clad from top to toe and even wearing funny masks. Happily, our plane was declared healthy, and we were allowed to get off. Another line to turn in our special health declaration forms, and more infrared temperature taking.
That was the only unusual bit. The rest was as always, immigration, baggage claim, customs. From the airport, we took the very fancy new Maglev train. What fun! Its speed peaked at 420 km/h, pretty respectable. It was very quiet and fast. From there, a taxi into the city.
We stayed at the Astor House hotel, one of the oldest in the city if not the oldest. It was really nice though, renovated and all. Our room was not the typical boring little box, but odd-shaped, with nooks and crannies.
We took much-needed showers, then successfully resisted the temptation to nap. Instead, we went for a walk across the Waibai bridge and down along the Bund. The skyline over the river was a fine sight.
The entire area along the Bund was being renovated for the 2010 Expo, which will be held here. Bad luck. But I'm sure it will look cool when it's done.
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