Shanghai cost of living

For being one of the most expensive cities to live in, I'm amazed at how cheap the necessities are. I took a 20 cent ferry ride across the river, and a good noodle meal - which is supersize can run you maximum 2 dollars in a neighborhood. Subway across town cost me 75 cents and my taxi ride - over and hour in rush hour to the other side of town cost me 6 dollars. When I gave him a 3 dollar tip I know he was amazed.

I've been getting the bargaining down and now get most things for less than a quarter of the initial price. There's a whole game to it Ibe finally learned.

Since every trip has to have a scary minute - I had mine when trying to get a cab. I saw an empty one pass so I ran to catch up with it and was just going to knock on the window as it was caught in traffic and I heard a noise turned left and a bus was about 10 feet from me coming to a halt. I quickly jumped back to the curb. My heart race the cab is still there when the bus passes and I'm safely in. I was so proud of my navigating the city today by subway, ferry and by foot and by instinctive navigations without a map - that it was ironic my last easy transportation move - finding a cab-nearly cost me my life. Crossing the street is hard here- much easier by far than Cairo- you really focus just looking one direction to cross half way - cars, scooters, bikes all at different speeds you'll be dodging and than you sometimes find yourself in the middle of the street completely forgetting you have to look the other way to navigate the second half now. Have no worries friends my last adventure tonight is just around the corner on the same block. Some good foodshops right across from the train station which is a block away. I won't be crossing any streets anymore. 6:30 am airport pick up and Ill be safely on route by air for the rest of my journey.

Just hoping my slight cold and sore throat won't give me hassles on the flight - need to get some good tea in me - I think its been a full day since I've had some. Ironically, bought two really warm sweaters here and a scarf - which was 1 dollars 25 cents gotta love that. For those who think I spent a fortune on this trip - as you're starting to see with a 50 dollar hotel in Shanghai- a Holiday Inn newly remodeled and 50 a day in tourism site tickets its a destination that doesn't break the bank. I'm wondering if my tour organizer even made anything off me for this ;) now to dinner to spend the last of my RBMs.