Christmas Day Shanghai

It's Christmas Day here and life is going on as usual in Shanghai. I had pizza for Christmas Eve dinner that is tearing me up right now. I don't dare stray from my room for a bit. I will venture out in search of dumplings for lunch and the company is arranging Christmas dinner for us somewhere.

China is so crazy, many stories to tell already. Some facts I learned last night about road accidents; the pedestrian is the lowest form of life as far as the road is concerned. However, if a pedestrian is struck, injured or killed, the driver must pay for medical and funeral expenses. These expenses are bargained for right on the spot. A policeman comes and mediates right there then will escort you to the bank and monitor the transaction. If a cab should strike a pedestrian or someone on a moped or bike, the person who hired the cab is responsible for financial restitution. A foreigner who has hired a cab that has been in an accident will wait for the crowd to gather and then sneak out of the vehicle and lose himself in the confusion.

Total lawlessness rains on the streets of China. In Beijing, government vehicles have complete autonomy. If one hits you, too bad for you. A government vehicle will use any means to get from one place to another. They will go the wrong way down streets and even use sidewalks if they deem it quicker. You must be on your toes in China if you want to get around!