May 22nd, 2010 Contributed by: Ivette Figueroa

SHANGHAI, PRC— At 10,000 feet every place looks the same.

All pasteurized microchips — a monochromatic patchwork of browns and beiges. At 5,000 feet the land becomes a pop-up story book. Towers jut their irrevocably arrogant bodies into the air and, yet, it all has a Lego city feel to it —plastic and shiny and fake.

The surrealness is amplified as the plane dips lower — individual cars wink back at me. I shifted uncomfortably in the blue bucket seat, moving closer to rest my head on the cool plastic window. I looked down as the city finally emerged.

Chicago’s character was unapologetic. All sprawling, with its vegetation-cushioned monopoly-sized houses. The busy broccoli heads of trees hovered over grey-slated roofs as we glided closer to O’Hare. Having spent the entirety of my recollected life in Miami, greenery was something that caught my attention. This was the easy part. The first three-hour leg of an 18-hour trip. It passed by in a sleepy haze. A 7:35 a.m. departure time will do that to you. But soon, my travel class and I were re-enacting the “Home Alone” airport sprint to our Shanghai flight.

It never ceases to amaze me that sitting for 14 hours could be so exhausting. No matter how prepared you are — no matter how many books, movies, electronics and sleeping pills you take — spending that much time in one spot is like spending a day at the gym. You’re sore, sweaty and irritable. Not the best frame of mind or bodily state to receive a new country.

Still, after passing through Customs and claiming our luggage, my first glimpse of Shanghai was impressive. They say that it is the New York City of China — a gritty, clustered, fast-paced circus. I say, they were right. Everyone had some place to get to … five minutes ago. People pushed past you to cross the street or hop on the train. If you’re bogged down with heavy luggage like I was, be prepared to be brushed past, sized up and almost run over by one of dozens of taxis that refuse to give pedestrians the right-of-way.

Luckily, our apartment wasn’t far and we all made it in one piece. It was an eventful and hectic start, and I’m sure the next few days will be equally full of adventures.

Reposted from The China Journalism Project, University of Miami: labs.com.miami.edu/china

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