Running through Shanghai

This Saturday everyone in our group seemed to be recovering from previous nights. I caught up on some blogs and then sat in my hotel room for awhile, starting to get bored. I really wanted to see if I could find some cool t shirts or shoes to bring home but, didnt know where to find any sort of mall or shopping center. I decided to go for a run, in no particular direction, around Shanghai. I figured that I would run until I found some stores that I could purchase some gifts at for some of my family members, as it was our last full day in Shanghai. I started running down the road and as I kept going I saw many interesting things. Running around a city like Shanghai was exhilirating. I never new exactly where I was going, stopping into random shopping centers and stores, hoping I would remember my way back to the hotel.
I ventured about 5 miles away from the hotel and figured that if I got lost or was too tired I would just take a cab back to the hotel. I am very glad I decided to go on this run because I got to see Shanghai in a light that I wasnt able to with the rest of our group. I went through slums and also very nice areas and saw stray dogs and million dollar cars. When it began to get dark out, I started my run home. It was funny to get looked at by people on the street like I was crazy for running in such a busy area. I had a feeling they thought that I was crazy. When I returned from this 10 mile - 2 hours venture, I felt refreshed and ready for the night. I am glad I took the opportunity to see a part of Shanghai that I had never seen, and wish I had more time to run in a different direction, as I know it would hold just as much excitement as the last run.