But then I got to Shanghai. Customs was easy enough to navigate. I was asked on both sides of the flight by official looking guys how much money I had on my person and did I know that it's illegal to carry more than 10,000 USD cash out of the country. I told them the honest answers to both, and that I'd never had 10,000 in general, let alone on my person, and went on with my day.
Day One:
I had to get my money changed from USD to RMB. There's some sort of racket going on where certain individuals will 'buy' your foreign money. I got a free few Yuan for trusting this guy and giving him my money. I assume he then sells the foreign cash for very little Yuan? Not sure.
After this I hopped on the bus to get back to my apartment. I was eating a mango ice cream, and enjoying the sites, paying careful attention so that I would get off at my stop (had no phone yet). At the second-to-last stop a mother and child get on and the mother sits down before gently pushing her kid, five years old tops, over in my general direction. I realize he's going for the trashcan at my feet. He gets over to the trashcan after the bus driver has decided on a speed, and drops his pants to his feet and begins to urinate into the trashcan. Nobody says a word.
Welcome to Suzhou, China.
