I woke before the sun. I was up at 5am. Time to get some exercise and explore the city. I had been so tired last night that I had just gone to bed. I didn’t realize that there was a huge open plaza right outside my window. There must have been some party there last night, because old women were out there sweeping the streets before 6.

Without GPS or a guide, I started running. Went about a mile in the wrong direction. Oops. But ran into a hotel that must have been 50 stories or more. Turned around and headed towards the Huangpo River where I was last night.

Along the way, I saw all kinds of people. Shanghai is an industrious city. The people are full of energy and life. And there is also traditional Chinese culture infused with Western culture. Several old women and men practicing tai chi in the early hours of the morning. The river shoreline was busy with people. Lots of them flying kites. Mostly older people. Tai chi all over the place. A man tried to sell me artwork. Another man reached down into the dirty river with a net on a pole over 20 ft long and grabbed a big fish right out of the water. Old women walking the streets clapping. A man practicing tai chi with a huge sword. One young man in a yellow shirt jumping around and swinging his arms in different motions; I couldn’t tell what he was doing or trying to do.

Streets move pretty fast. People on motorbikes or bicycles, or old bikes carrying big loads behind them. Cars fly by. THey honk at pedestrians in the street. There are big signs down the streets. People hanging their clothes to dry out of their windows.

There is a definite mixture of classes here. And I perceive a difference between traditional Chinese culture and those that have been heavily influenced by Western cultures.

It was an interesting morning in Shanghai. I am excited for the rest of my day.