American in Shanghai

The so-called typhoon made the air and temperature quite comfortable last week, if a little rainy and windy. Now it is back to ugly air. >> After typhoon Haikui, the air was clean! But soon the effects wore off. At least now we are having a storm which will settle the particulate matter (PM) down a little. Never mind about foreign consulates reporting on the air quality. Apparently the local news has caught onto the game as well. The first picture represents "excellent" air quality; the second is supposedly "good." Good! Although I sense a tiny bit of PS or another program has "enhanced" the first photo, but it really was just about that nice here, making a record 21 days of clean air!  Too bad I missed most of them but I am glad that it can happen. [photo courtesy of Shanghai Daily News]  For the full article, go to http://www.shanghaidaily.com/nsp/Metro/2012/08/13/Heat%2Bmore%2Bpollution%2Breturn%2Bthis%2Bweek/

I just returned to Shanghai about 5 days ago after visiting the US and Germany. And I am happily a few pounds heavier after consuming vast quantities of pie, cake, beer, wine, cheeses, bakery delicacies such as apple strudel and Schwabian treats like maultaschen and flammküchen. For a while Shanghai was actually a little bit comfortable with the breezes from the typhoon but now it's back to feeling like the hell of a humid sauna. I'd like to thank my boss right now for the reminder yesterday that in reality I do not have to spend most of every day exposed to the harsh outdoor elements of this wicked city. I only wish she herself would also get the benefit of running around Shanghai during a hot August day with the odds of winning a race rather low, collecting marketing photos and promo during work hours . Thanks to the universe for sparing members of my team from heat exhaustion although it was a close call. Great bonding experience though. It has been said that "lif

 picking blackberries  near the Rhein River  Lorelei  we might punish you this way if you don't behave   flammküchen  Bernkastle  Bern on the Mosel