Shanghai, The Bund.

I’m back from Shanghai. The 2009 Interphoto Shanghai (show) was a great event. I met a great many photographers from around the world, saw some cool gear, played with expensive toys, and ate at many a buffet. No legendary Shanghai escorts or Shanghai massage from the married Stevo.

Drinking Chinese rice wine, bai jiu, with giggling Korean models was probably the highlight of the trip.  Korean women have a reputation in Asia as being the prettiest – the beauties usually being the ones that have benefited from Korea’s top-notch cosmetic surgery. I’ve heard tell that the average Chinese woman is far prettier than the average Korean woman.  Before I further digress I will abandon this debate.

Rain on a hotel window: Shanghai weather during July 2009.

What did I see in Shanghai? The world famous Bund? The Pearl Tower? The French Concession? Old town? The Shanghai World Financial Center?

Nay.

Side trips to beautiful Hangzhou, West Lake,  or Suzhou?

Nay.

What did you see, Stevo?

Mostly? The hotel, the convention center, and the two hundred meters between the two buildings. And, Pudong and Hongqiao Airports (I didn’t actually fly in or out of Hongqiao: It’s a long story).

Am I bitter? No, it was a good time. I’m always up for a bit of China travel, even if my sightseeing in Shanghai possibilities were limited. My brief taste of the city left me with a hunger for more.

The best part of the trip was my return. No, not the turbulence-filled flight or the delays caused by the foul weather over south China. Mrs. Stevo returned during my excursion to Shanghai and we’ve spent the last week trying to get reacquainted after her 10 month adventure in England.

Stay tuned, cool stuff ahead before I head out on my summer trip.

photo credit: simonsmith001