Dime Beer Night

While a few days have passed, the smog sure hasn't. Irony abounds as the only source of color are man-made neon lights, against the once natural backdrop which has now been rendered a dull gray. The banquets are done, and we are on our own for food. Today a menu read, "Work fried bloody noun with marinade chill." We still haven't met our roommates, although we have met all of our potential roommates. The pairing, it seems, is to remain secret to inspire group cohesion. Being Caucasian is tough in China. I am a "Laowai" and am constantly discriminated against in both price and entry. Haggling is a must in downtown Shanghai. Here in the Hongkou district people are typically more down to earth, and prices are fair. Dime beers, a pound of bananas for a quarter, and four dollars for a banquet amongst good company. We went to see a Chinese circus the other night, but it turned out to be a comedy show as magicians, juggling, bubbles, and lasers (courtesy of he "SkyRag 2000" ) all made guest appearances. When asked if I wanted a DVD of the show for Y100, I turned it down, only to hear the price immediately lowered to Y30. Traveling downtown is a pleasure as cab fares run a dollar for a pretty lengthy ride if you take a few people with you. When you finally get to the club cocktails are a staggering three dollars. Yet the combination of such low prices, mixed with the need for haggling will turn you into a nickel-and-dimer that would make even the most frugal American blush. While buying breakfast I realized I had haggled the man down a whole fifteen cents. Outside Hongkou and in Puxi and Pudong the urban sprawl is breathtaking in it's own construct beauty. Somewhere between Bladerunner and Gotham City. Today I saw a man selling chicks in cages for 15 cents while multi million dollar skyscrapers surrounded him, and it was evident that the West has only superimposed itself on China, and had not yet taken root. The humidity is relentless, the air is thick with dust, the traffic is deadly, the restaurants of full of screaming parties, and yet we all can't get enough. The only way I have managed to keep up with the pace is to load myself down with supplies and expect the unexpected. All things here are subject to change it seems.  Classes start of Monday, and I have been constantly taking down notes in order to absorb as much Chinese as possible before then. Until that all begin, wish me luck as I head to Kaiba, a Belgian Beer bar nestled amongst endless bottles of "Reeb" and "Harbin."