Hello from Shanghai

I've arrived in Shanghai on business. Just got in a couple of hours ago, and decided to kill sometime by going for a walk along Nanjing Rd. -- "China's historic No. 1 shopping street. This Oxford Street of the East extends to over 5km from the Bund to Jing'an Temple including Nanjing Road East Pedestrian Street. Many shops are open till 10 p.m." I've forgotten what an entertainment the street could be. I got propositioned every few steps: "Watches, DVD, MP3, iPod, iPhone, t-shirt, sexy girl massage." It was the same thing, in the same order, from many of the street hucksters. I didn't bite, especially since they all pointed down a less than welcoming side street as the destination to finalize the deal. I did stop in the official Beijing Olympics store to make a couple of gift purchases, however. They had some cool merchandise -- probably once in a lifetime purchase.

On another interesting note: entering mainland China requires the filling out of an arrival and departure card. Most countries have these, and I guess it's an exercise to keep track of visitors. On the back of the Chinese card, was printed the following:

Important Notice

1. Aliens who do not lodge at hotels, guesthouses or inns shall, within 24 hours (72 hours in rural areas) of entry, go through accommodation registration at local police station.
2. Aliens holding visas Z, X or J-1 shall, within 30 days of entry, apply for Residence Permits to the exit-entry department of the public security bureau of the city where the applicants reside.
3. Aliens shall not be employed in China without permission of the competent authorities of the Chinese Government.
4. Aliens who reside or stay in China shall carry with themselves their passports or Residence Permits for possible examination.
5. In case of emergency, please dial 110 to seek help from police.

Those are the rules. I'm obeying them.