Mischief is universal.

There was a time when travelling was easy. You bought a ticket, got on a plane and then at your destination showed your passport to an immigration official. These days you have to deal with AI and 'time saving ' machines that take your picture and demand your finger prints. That's fine if the technology works. At Shanghai it didn't . The automatic passport readers refused to read. After six attempts we were forced to download a QR code to access an online form which required slow and laborious filling in. That's easy for those with nimble fingers but for those who don't it means you're forever entering the wrong letter or number on the screen and having to start again. It took us an hour and a bit to make it to the passport counter. Our process was quick in comparison with some.

We'd been told that the West Lake and the gardens in Hangzhou were bucket list must sees. After an easy train journey down from Shanghai on a bullet train we settle in for a glass ( or two or three ) of wine to reclaim our humanity. A very proud grandmother is meeting a friend in the lobby bar of our hotel. She's brought  her grandson. I'd reckon he's all of 18 months old. The wee boy is fussed over in the way only a proud grandmother can. While she and her friend are deep in conversation the lad  silently slips off the sofa and heads to the centre of the hotel foyer which has a large and complex flower arrangement. Low level flower arrangements are the sort of thing that attract toddlers like iron filings are attracted to a magnet. There is a loud and piercing shriek as granny looks up just as the small boy is about to rearrange the vases. A bell hop saves the day. Mischief is universal.

In a shopping mall an old man with his shaggy dog. He's there when we arrive and we see him again as we leave an hour later. He chats to the dog and the dog looks back, adoringly, at him. Finally, it's time to go and the dog leads him across acres of marble floors to the exit. Both are at a certain stage in life and are clearly inseparable and devoted. The old man walks very slowly while the dog walks ahead. Every so often the dog turns to make sure his companion is following. Their progress is conducted in magisterial slow motion. Sometimes the dog circles behind and gives the old man a 'get a move on' nudge with his nose. Love, like mischief, is also universal.

Some unusual names on coffee shops.

Hotels have 'cheerful' displays . These seem to have no purpose but provide space for smiling ceramic animals. Rabbits are very popular. Must be a cultural thing.

In the evening there are parts of Shanghai where you could ( almost ) think you were on Rodeo Drive or Bond Street. Face masks used to be the rule. Now I'd reckon 1 in 20 wear them.

Doors have unusual signs.

I'll post tomorrow on the skyline of Shanghai and maybe our trip to Hangzhou Gardens and then we'll be back to life in the village.  Exams start next week so there are a lot of earnest teenagers in town.

Why Huggies ( Thank God ) conquered :https://www.worksinprogress.news/p/how-disposable-diapers-conquered

Stanford understands the value of courtesy :https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/news/how-not-deal-allies

A new ( old ) discovery :https://x.com/ProfTCSchmidt/status/2046565772235776211

The ultimate Taiwanese movie ? :https://notnottalmud.substack.com/p/on-yi-yi-my-favourite-movie-and-why

Microdramas. The next big thing from China :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNAWtuWzToE

Quiet, but welcome, progress :https://x.com/anishmoonka/status/2045757539409621414