post seven in which I analyze expat motivations and feel like a yuppie

I have been quickly learning the subtleties of navigating the Shanghai metro system on my way to work; I now know where to get on the metro for easier transfers between lines and which metro car to get into so that I'm not a sardine in a can. I guess I forgot to mention how packed the metro can be (though there is no person who has to push as in that one Youtube video from Japan where the commuters are packed into a train car by a metro employee).

In the mornings, I see a good number of expats going to work and I'm always stunned by their age. Perhaps this is in juxtaposition to the young Asian workers, but the expats usually look around mid-30s (read: old, bearded, sometimes bald, unattractive). Yesterday while I was waiting for the elevator at work to take me down to the first floor, I overheard some from the company next door talking about going out, getting drunk, and picking up the ladies. Upon closer inspection, I realized one of them was stout, had a ponytail, and glasses. It seems as if Shanghai is party central -- you come in as a Westerner, make money in the booming market, and celebrate your waning youth at night. It's very Great Gatsby-esque in that the expats have a lot of the money and go to the stylish and elaborate clubs while the Chinese villagers labor a la the Wilsons who owned the garage in Gatsby. I think I've mentioned this several times, but everything here seems excessive.

I probably need to see more of the country and Shanghai, though, before I can make more solid conclusions.

In other news, I have finally figured out how to make soluble coffee at work and met two other interns from local universities (having lunch with them today!!). Yesterday, I had delicious bok choy and mushroom jiaozi with Katie, and shared free champagne (yeah ladies' night!) and a drink called "Belvedere Mr. Right" with Katie, Liren, Rena, and Rachel -- we ladies are so classy. I also met some of the Hong Kong students staying at our inn who are also interning in the city; they are super friendly and I can't wait to get to know them better!