SWEET

Some compare Shanghai with New York, some with Paris - though don't go expecting either or you may be disappointed. As for expat amenities, Shanghai can't be beaten among mainland cities.

You'll be able to get just about anything you want here, though you may have to pay dearly for it.

Your money will also buy you more choices here than in other parts of the country, from world cuisine to luxury villa style (Mediterranean stucco or Bavarian village? Japanese zen or sleek ultra-modern?).

Shanghai offers more opportunities to forget, for just a little while, that you are living in China - something that foreigners in smaller cities long for when the culture shock and the homesickness come on strong.

From Moon Living Abroad in China, by Stuart & Barbara Strother, Avalon Travel Publishing

SOUR

During my first week in China, I decided to go out for a Western-style breakfast with an American classmate. We were so excited about the possibility of being able to read a menu and order bacon, eggs and pancakes. We spent several minutes reading everything on the menu from cover to cover until it was time to order. The waitress assured us she spoke English, but we pointed to the items we wanted on the menu, just in case.

I ordered a glass of milk and French toast! I was so happy I must have been glowing!

First, the milk arrived. It was hot, in a scalding hot glass, with corn syrup not exactly the ice-cold milk I was used to. I assumed the corn syrup was for the French toast.

Then a saucer of ketchup was brought out. I stared at the ketchup with fascination as I pondered its possible uses.

Finally, my breakfast arrived a plate of French fries and toasts!

So much for my French toast.

Ericka, quoted in http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog