Shanghai

April 30th
Shanghai

Today was my last trip into Shanghai before flying back home in a week. This trip had one objective though, buy jackets.
My friend had previously found out this market where he was able to buy North Face jackets for $15-20 dollars, some even less. I wanted to buy a couple, bring some home, and exercise the powers of Ebay. So after getting off the ship early, we made our way to a subway, and from there to the market where I got to see some great negotiating in action. Through a succession of price disapprovals and walking out of the shops, we were able to work the seller down to what must have been the lowest price she could have offered for the jackets. My friend Garreth bought about 7 to take back to the ship and sell to the Philippinos, while I ended up with two windbreakers and two heavy winter coats for a total of $70. As a point of reference, the lighter windbreaker sells in a North Face shop for $100, so I figure I got a good deal. Now, the million dollar question: are they fake? You know, I can’t tell. They have tags, are in good shape, and I’d certainly wear anything I bought, but there’s no way for me to certify authenticity when some Chinese lady pulls them out of a box in an attic.
We didn’t stay in the underground market too long because we had to get back to the ship for an early sail away, but we did have time for a great lunch. I don’t quite remember all that we had, but I know there was a lot of it and it was great. Also, it was cheap because the entire trip, including train passes, was less than $10.
So we got back to the ship after walking through some really dirty streets of Shanghai. I had my garbage bag of coats while Garreth had a huge rolling duffle bag of his investments that he had made way too top heavy, giving me a few laughs as he ran across the road only to be instantly halted by the bag he just rolled over. On the way back we managed to see some sites though, including an accident between a biker and a motorbike, and a lovely rear-ending between two cars. Oddly enough, it all occurred right after we expressed disbelief in how it seems like there aren’t any accidents despite the confusion of the roads.
We made it back to the bus though, which then transported us back to the ship. I had my last Passenger boat drill and now get to start my final cruise before flying home. Yay!!!