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Shanghai Old Street (Laojie)

It was the best bargain, it was the newest street

Theresa and I took a taxi to Shanghai Old Street near the Yuyuan Garden. Most taxis in Shanghai are relatively new and comfortable. The most interesting part of the taxi was the large Plexiglas barrier between the driver and the passengers. I don't know whether it's to keep the driver safe or to ensure privacy of the passengers. Perhaps it's to keep the passengers from telling the drivers to slow down!

What would you guess the age of this street with a name like Shanghai Old Street, the Chinese pronunciation is Laojie? 1000 years? 500 years? 100 years? It's strange but true that this street was restored just in 1999! I was surprised when I read the tour book. However, I do notice that beneath the facade of traditional shops and signs the sidewalks are actually relatively new.

There are bargains to be had if you want to and know how to bargain on this stretch of 800-yard bargain paradise. There are trinkets and souvenirs of all kinds. Let me tell you that Theresa is a queen of bargaining. She honed her bargaining skills during her previous trips to China and Taiwan and especially in Kenya and Tanzania. Sometimes Theresa's counter-offer was so ridiculously low that I was too embarrassed to translate. However, Theresa and the vendors just pass back and forth a calculator to conduct their affairs. Theresa had a good time, and the vendors always manage to part with their goods and tuck Theresa's money away!