The Humanity of Shanghai
And so we’re back in Shanghai.
I just walked down our street to buy some milk, and as expected the place was deserted. But our 85-year-old neighbour climbed up the steps to our apartment to welcome us home; I had a lovely conversation with the street cleaner about whether I knew who had lost a glove she had found; and the lady at the grocery store, who never usually gives me more than a grimace, today flashed me a smile. (Well, I guessed it was a smile from behind her mask. Maybe it was just a larger grimace.)
This is my first morning back since returning from the Chinese New Year holidays. But already I am feeling the humanity of Shanghai like never before. Here’s hoping that we all don’t forget this too quickly once things return to normal.
