26 Nov. 2011: EAST SIDE STOREYS #3 of 3

Shanghai means "to the sea". The Yangtze River here carries huge numbers of barges, cruise ships, freighters and military craft. But it's surprising how narrow it is ---- way narrower than my boyhood measure, the Detroit River. Less than a mile, I'd say. Building names are clearly legible from either side. The west side of the river is the classic old trading and banking firms. The east side was 350 sq. km. of boggy farmland until 20 years ago! It's actually called the "New Area" and the architects have been like Lady Gaga vs. Elton John in his prime ---- who can come up with the most outrageous creation??

The landmark is the tripod TV tower called the "Pearl of the Orient." By day the round globes glow in pink glass. By night it flashes and winks in multicolours. Even more pearls reveal themselves, all the way up the main shaft. It is a mesmerizing sight as playful digital signs the size of 3 Jumbotrons shine from the gold-clad Aurora building. Others like the 100-storey Financial Centre add to the Colour Choir with C-flats to A-very sharps. On a warm breezy night, thousands of us watched for hours. A little Hong Kong and a little Manhattan but more awesome than either at first sight.

Eventually we turned back to the Nanjing Road walking/shopping street for the Line 11 Metro home. A last look at the electric boat in foreground and the skyline behind it sealed the deal ---- most magical bunch of storeys, ever.