Shanghai

Sophia in front of the Pearl Tower and other buildings by the Huangpu River

Sophia and Dad in front of the Maglev. What a ride!

Sophia and Mom on The Bund in front of the Pearl Tower

View of the Bund at Night.

After a 14 1/2 hour plane trip from Chicago, we finally arrived in Shanghai at 1:15 p.m. local time (12:15 a.m. Hiawatha time). After arrival we took the Maglev (magnetic levitation train) from the Shanghai Airport to the city center. It is listed as the fastest commercial train in the world and reaches speeds up to 268 mph. It was quite a ride! We set our clocks to Shanghai time as soon as we left Chicago and tried not to think of what time it is back home to aid with jetlag, but here it is 3:00 a.m. Shanghai time and Ellen and I are wide awake. What a beautiful city! We went to the famous "Bund" area last night (which is where Western countries such as England and the US set up banks and trading houses after the Opium War of 1842). As you can see from the pictures, the views from the Huangpu River are wonderful! Sophia is doing great. She is such a wonderful traveler. We will be in Shanghai just 2 nights as a stopping point before heading to her hometown of Langli Village outside of Changsha on Sunday. While Shanghai is beautiful, we can't wait for her heritage trip to begin and especially can't wait until our Gotcha date of July 2nd when we get to hold Isabella in our arms for the first time!!