Impressions of Australia and Shanghai

While I was on the plane, I captured the impressions that I had of Australia (Sydney and Brisbane) and Shanghai.

Australia

- beautiful, clean, gorgeous beaches

- the warmth of the sunshine

- clear air / blue skies

- cheeky people (smartass comments, sassy humor, sarcasm)

- easy pace of life

- love of sport / fit physical people

- unexpected, archaic attitudes towards women

- beach culture that makes you want to find a little house and a reason to be there

- very expensive real estate

- pride in home ownership

- difficult to get into the country

- beautiful people in Brisbane

Shanghai

- huge, impressive architecture

- capitalism is everywhere

- warm, friendly smiles from curious people

- smoggy and hazy

- no real blue skies

- no matter where we went, we were photographed. Eating, laughing, shopping, whatever....

- there was a Disneyland effect as we toured the factories and Suzhou industrial park - of being shown only what the government wants you to see

- people, people everywhere & grey concrete - not many places of stillness

- huge "farms" of apartments that covered blocks and blocks of the city

- great nightlife

- shopping

Obviously, there is so much more that I can write, but I know how limited my free time is right now. School ends January 17th, and I look forward to being in a place where I can explore my thoughts and capture my feelings in this space. Until then.... enjoy.