First observations on Shanghai...

... extremely exotic or surprisingly familiar?

I must admit, I felt shocked and amazed by the first views on Shanghai: the dimensions of the Pudong Airport and the elevated roads crossing next to the place we were staying the first two weeks (soon I realized that elevated roads exist all around the city!)...

I also quickly felt a "dejavù" feeling: the permanent noise, anytime of day or night; the pollution; the dust; the fog and the crazy traffic where apparently nobody respects it, including bikers, pedestrians and of course, cars. The city is huge and there are around 20 million people living here. Yes, in many aspects Shanghai reminds me of São Paulo.

Another similarities:

- the prices and the price range. You can find products, restaurants and services ranging from very very cheap to extraordinary expensive. A beer can cost between €0.50 (R$1,30) up to €6.00 (R$20,00)... It seems to be a common reality in rich cities in developing countries.

- Security awareness. Buildings are surrounded by walls and fences, with security men in front gates, and first floor windows are generally covered by fences. As I was told, people brake-in houses and apartments to steal stuff, but they would never carry weapons or use of violence on someone else.

- Tall apartment buildings. Shanghai looks a gigantic forest of buildings, very very high. The old traditional neighbourhoods being bulldozed for the new buildings to rise.

I was going to write about the public transportation system in Shanghai, but I will wait until tomorrow, when millions of people come back from holidays to work. I'm very curious to get the metro in the morning! :S