Was I in Shanghai or LA?

Just got back from Shanghai and I thought I was in Los Angeles. I went to work in a nice and clean building surrounded by a mall. Tons of shops everywhere! I walked by a number of stores that probably make $1/sq foot, not an attractive sales figure...Maybe the cheap labor costs even things out.

I stayed at a really nice hotel, Meridian Shanghai which was across the street to the Opera house and, surprise, more shops and bright lights.

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After going to another mall for dinner, I went w/ a coworker to get an English Tea Latte from Coffee Bean -- delicious! This was close to one of the biggest Chinese Fast Food chains -- the "REAL Kung Fu" - nice logo:

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After dinner, we hungout in a 3RD street Promenade like area - Xintiandi - tons of shops, foreigners, and bars! They had a neat photo exhibition going on this weekend.

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Of course I couldn't leave Shanghai without a pictures of all the particles I'm taking in these days. Pollution is unbelievable. I pulled out of the Beijing marathon today b/c I didn't want to take too many days off my life.

Shanghai air (might as well be pictures of Beijing, too -- That's not fog or rain):

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Finally, I wrapped up the weekend w/ Mexican food in Beijing at El Fogoncito. Not too impressive, but I guess that's what I'll have to live with for awhile. Got a great foot massage afterwards, cheap and they even cut your toe nails!

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