I went to a "Aussie Drinks" Australian business social in the Royal Meridian Hotel on Najing Road last night. The event was on the 80th+ floor, with views looking down on Nanjing, and all around my new neighborhood. As impressive as it was, it felt like outter space or something. It felt like I was looking through tinted windows... all the fog... maybe a cloudy evening, or some rain, or something... but the truth is that it is like this almost every day. It has taken a while for this to sink in, but the pollution is a major problem, that is having a noticeable physical effect on me and my roommates. For example, your mouth constantly feels as if it is coated with some strange film. It is the oddest thing, but it is contstant, and inescapable. I don't think jogging in this environment can be a good thing, let alone training for marathons. I suppose this is why you don't see many
Chinese people out there jogging around. Jog at your own risk... etc. Bizarre. Anyhow, I am needing to find a way to release some of what was released by jogging in the states. Maybe a gym membership or something. Needless to say... I am hoping to jog everyday while in the States later this month. This is a typical view looking out my window... mid day. No, this is not a rainy or cloudy day.
This event was held in the World Financial Center in Pudong, pictured to the left. It is currently the tallest in Shanghai, and just a couple years ago, was the tallest in the world.
