While posts here usually run a week or so behind our actual travel, today was such a crazy day I felt compelled to write about it right away, so here it goes. Sometimes the travel gods seem out to frustrate and befuddle you at every turn, and today was one of those days for us in Shanghai. We left our hostel this morning with a great plan and a long list of sights to hit during a full day of sightseeing. Little did we know it was not to be. Nevertheless we still had a great adventure in this amazing city. Below is a list of our intended destinations and the end result.
- Souzhou, a smaller town outside of Shanghai known as the “Venice of the East” because of its many canals and gardens. Our original plan for the entire day, we tried buying train tickets yesterday, but apparently all trains for the next few days are fully booked. So instead we headed on the metro to the crowded ancient town of Qibao for a short boat ride on a canal right here in the city.
Art Scene China, an art gallery in a trendy neighborhood. We never got there due to a wrong address in Lonely Planet (though we did disturb some poor man who answered the nondescript door we knocked on). Instead we went to the Xuhui Art Museum that had an interesting exhibit featuring two Chinese artists with their initial sketches along side the finished works. All in all it was a nice substitute for the intend destination.- Charterhouse Booksellers, looking for an English language Japan guidebook in preparation for our next destination. Again, with Lonely Planet’s guidance deception, we were led astray. There is no Charterhouse in Pudong’s massive Super Brand Mall, and according to the woman who answered their phone, there never has been. There was, however, a totally different bookstore on the top floor where a nice man pointed us in the direction of the foreign language bookstore on Fuxong Street back across the river.
Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, a pedestrian tunnel/ride that connects the Bund with the Pudong area. It crosses under the Huangpu River. When we first got to the Pudong area, the tunnel was closed, but after our unsuccessful search in the Super Brand Mall we found the tunnel re-opened. While we were triumphant in getting through the tunnel, I was left really wanting my $7 back for the ridiculous 5 minute ride that consisted of a seeing a couple of flashing lights in a dark tunnel while riding in a driver-less capsule that smelled like it would benefit from a good cleaning with strong bleach.- Foreign Language Bookstore, while not on the original list, it was attempt #3 at finding a Japan guide book, preferably not a Lonely Planet since they had been the source of two of our denials so far. Fate struck again and no English language Japan guidebooks were to be found. Exhausted, we staggered out in defeat.
- Bookstore #4, across the street from the Foreign Language Bookstore. Finally a success, as it had two Japan options, Insight and Lonely Planet. After 20 minutes of debate we went with Lonely Plant, despite the let downs earlier in the day. If there had been a Rough Guide we would have gone with that, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Despite the frustration we did walk through some beautiful sections of Shanghai and met some very friendly Chinese. Accepting what comes is a vital skill on a long trip and one we patiently practiced all day long.
Ever had a day when the gods seemed out to get you (or just mess with you)? Let us know in the comments below.
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Some days that’s just the way it goes and you have to find some sugar to help you make the lemonade. You’re right, you saw some stuff you never intended along the way AND managed to find a guide book. We constantly battle with the Lonely Planet and still end up using it almost exclusively – it’s like a bad relationship…you know it’s bad but it’s just so darn comfortable. Glad to hear you’re enjoying China…it’s one place I now wish had been on our itinerary. Can’t wait to hear more!
I found my sugar. It was in the form of a Corona and a Snickers bar. Amazing how that made the day much, much better.
Wow, what a crazy day. See, if only you’d couchsurfed with a local, you’d have someone to help you out
We skipped China, but sometimes I wish we’d given a try. I guess it’s one more thing left for next time. Funny, Jaimee and I were just having the Guide Book talk today. We are looking at the last leg of our trip in Europe (Greece, Italy, Switzerland, parts of France, and Germany) and I suggested that maybe we’d go without one. I’m kind of eager to try it, but in the end we’ll probably just buy a LP…
You know I always wondered about the ‘no guidebook’ guys…how do they figure it all out. And then I met one in Saigon. He claimed to not use a guidebook but proceeded to pump us for all the information he could and continually asked ‘what does the guidebook say?’. I think there is a place for them…guidebook, not bible-book!
Sorry to hear about your frustrating day. If it makes you feel any better, the weather gods, did NOT smile on us during the Cincinnati marathon relay. Scary lightning started out our dismal day and it didn’t let up for the entire race. Although a light drizzle is often refreshing while running, steady rain is not. Nevertheless, we did feel good after our run, despite the inclement weather.
It was good talking to you the other day–can’t wait for you both to come home!
Jenn – glad you had a good race and it was great talking with you too!
I’m surprised all you travelers don’t have a guidebook lending library; just swap ‘em around at the hostels. Or e-versions of said books.
Glad you guys found some serendipitous joy.
For China, we actually decided not to buy the 5lb Lonely Planet book and just buy the PDFs of the chapters we needed online. We then downloaded them to the iphone. Unfortunately, they are a pain to use – the maps don’t render very well or very fast so it’s not very useful when standing in a crowded metro station trying to figure out which way to go. We also had hoped that the PDFs were more recently updated, but alas, they are not. We can’t place too much blame on LP, though, for being so out of date in Shanghai – 3 or 4 new metro lines have opened in the last week and apparently half the city wasn’t here six months ago – all is new for the Expo.
Sorry about the hellish day. The Gods have definetly been “out to get” us some days it seems.. the new home it seems the women who previously owned it, had an obsession with wall paper and did not put it on some walls correctly.. she put the wall paper directly on the drywall… so no we have to sand the walls, plaster them and then prime and paint! It wouldnt be a concern if it were only two walls, but unfortunately its about 7! The surprises continue, but life is good! Thanks so much for all your posts! We really enjoy reading and keeping up with you and Amy, you have inspired our family to travel once a year to a far off place to teach our children about different cultures! Thank you so much!
Wow that really sucks. Although unfortunately I can relate. When repainting our kitchen a couple of years ago I ended up have to replaster the entire wall (thankfully it was not 7 though) as I ripped the top sheet off the drywall when scraping the old paint.
I am glad that you guys have made a decision to travel. I can tell you it changes your perspective so much, and is not as expensive as the travel industry leads you to believe. We are running just at $150/day for the both of us including airfares and all living expenses. It can be done on any budget. We just spent a full day at the World’s Fair here in Shanghai today and seeing people from nearly every country on the planet was great. I can not emphasis enough the value we have both taken away from this trip. Be sure to make your travel plans happen, you will not regret it!
My wife and I were traveling around Scotland’s country intent on visiting as many castles as we could before moving to whisky country. The castles in this region are generally far apart on winding and difficult roads. We drove and drove and drove, trying to visit three different castles only to find them closed for bizarre yet different reasons. By the time we arrived at castle we could actually enter, the sun was setting and so was our desire to see any castles.
Happens to us all at some point.
Apparently the Chinese aren’t traveling to Japan…go figure!
Yes – I totally believe in Travel Gods…and you don’t want to mess with them…just praise them when they are good to you!