Nothing has prepared for me to see pictures of Shanghai, the city I lived in for five years, in a lockdown state which have been showing up the past couple weeks on different news outlets.
One in particular hit home on how bad the lockdown is for the residents, was a pic of a major road artery from an aerial view which is deserted. When I lived there about seven years ago, these same roads were almost parking lots due to the heavy traffic.
The picture I saw the other day from BBC, showed literally no cars on this major highway that runs down the middle of the city. Just the volume of taxis which were ever present being gone, makes this photo unbelievable.
Another picture which affected me was a picture of the street I lived on with no people on it in daytime.
Even at 4 a.m., this street was never this deserted.
Panyu Lu (Lu means street in Chinese) is one of those avenues that has world class hotels, a monster big cinema, huge apartment complexes (one of which I lived in) and countless Mom and Pop shops selling DVD’s, groceries, and well honestly, just about everything a small business can. I loved walking out my complex, which probably had the population of Carbon County in its 10 buildings; and going to a duck soup restaurant where I would consistently get this amazing meal. If I wanted something different from duck, there was a small restaurant which specialized in pork where I would get meat, rice and vegetables for about $3.
To this day, I miss the food I used to get during my years living in Asia.
Anyway I really liked where I lived in Shanghai.
I got to practice my Chinese with the different proprietors and often given snacks of some sort, while visiting many these establishments.
I really found the locals incredibly friendly and so many loved I was from America.
To read about residents locked in their apartments and how food is getting hard to get, is shocking to me.
Shanghai, when it came to food, was the city of plenty. The markets are huge and everything is fresh. Besides the meats, fruits and vegetables, there were bread vendors and little stalls that served dumplings and noodle dishes that would be housed in one area.
It was fantastic.
I understand these markets are shut down now and the government is now involved in distributing food.
Given the protests, which seldom happen, the government isn’t doing a great job.
Imagine a city of 25 million people that is not only vast, but most people live in buildings 30 or 40 stories high.
Shanghai doesn’t have lot of single family homes except in some gated communities outside the city and some mansions built a 100 years ago by Westerners. Most of these old homes have multiple families living in them or have been turned into buildings for trendy businesses.
My point is there are lot of people living in a tight condensed land area.
Seeing the deserted street I knew should be busy, told me people are stuck in their homes and there is only so much one can do in a two or three bedroom apartment.
I cannot begin to express how smart I feel that I decided to leave Shanghai seven years ago. It was not an easy decision because my job was something I loved. I chose (or recommended) spirits our company distributed. I also worked with the suppliers and distillers on how to market in China.
Again, I will say it was a great job for me.
I left Shanghai to work for a Spanish liquor company which wanted me back in the USA . I wanted to get back to my home in Hanna, but I knew I was leaving behind an amazing situation. To give a little perspective, the Shanghai company exclusively imports and distributes Cuervo, Buffalo Trace, Fireball and a few other brands known in the USA to all of China.
Again, it was a tough decision.
Did I find myself over the years thinking I blew it by not staying Shanghai?
Definitely, especially after the Spanish company and I did not have a great parting of ways.
When that happened, my boss in Shanghai offered me my job back.
I thought about it, for sure, but I was reunited with my pup and I was not ready to leave Wyoming for the hustle and bustle of China.
I truly thank the Lord I had deciding against going back.
Because I have not talked to my old boss in a year, I don’t have much of a handle how the company is doing during this time of restriction.
The lockdown seems heavy handed to me, but President Xi has made up his mind there will be zero Covid-19 in his country and he does not care how it is effecting the population.
Honestly it amazing to me, there are demonstrations although not large, but demonstrations non-the-less.
Demonstrations rarely happen in China any longer since President XI has solidified his power. He is almost like Russia’s President Putin saying demonstrations are subversive and damaging to the national interest and are not allowed.
I probably read more on what is happening in China than most folk because I had some amazing adventures during my time living there and I am curious how the place is changing and not for the better.
I have written enough about the danger of President Xi’s agenda to the world in my columns, but I have to admit, I never thought he would put Shanghai into the lockdown situation currently.
By all economic indicators I have read recently, the lockdown is harming the global economy with a lot of manufacturing being shut down. Parts for different machinery which were difficult to get before the lockdown, have become impossible to receive.
I have said before, a strongman who believes his power should not be questioned, is terrible not only for the country he resides, but also terrible for the world.
Xi and Putin make this case very clear with their lack of concern for human lives.
I might continue to be shocked as more pictures come out of Shanghai’s lockdown, but I will never be able to express enough leaving China when I did was the smartest move I ever did.
I also find it very sad China has turned into a place which makes me feel this way.
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