I got to play tourist late this afternoon with Thom!  After yesterday’s soul-crushing and cough inducing pollution AQI 250+, we needed a break and, surprise, we got a beautiful sunny day with AQI under 100, which in Shanghai is good though in the U.S. it would be considered unhealthy.  What can I say–our standards have slipped drastically since moving to China.  After doing my work duty checking out the competition, we walked down Nanjing Road East to the  Bund Sightseeing Tunnel.  We have been meaning to experience this tourist trap since we moved here and finally we took the gondola through the psychedelic light show.  Reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean but China-style, we were treated to weird commentary in English and a relatively quick trip under the Haungpu River as we marveled at the colorful lights pulsating on the walls.

While this is truly just for tourists–the ferry across the river for locals runs 2 RMB vs. this trip was 50 RMB, which is a big difference to the average citizen–it was something you should experience if you are visiting the city.  Arriving near the Pearl Tower, the iconic highly photographed anchor to downtown Pudong, we walked home under sunny skies enjoying a beautiful Shanghai day!