Shanghai Expo 2010

A couple of weeks ago I was invited as a VIP Customer of Fed Ex to the Shanghai Expo 2010.  They were launching new freight service from Shanghai and used this as their platform.  We were driven to the Expo, entered through a VIP service line and then directly into the US Pavilion as VIP's.  Not bad all in all other than the rainy weather.  From there we were served an awesome lunch and heard a few speeches about their service.  The end was VIP access to the US Pavilion and I must say it was unimpressive.  

US laws prevent any public funds from being used for a world expo.  So all the money ($61 million) used to build was through private funds spearheaded by Hillary Clinton.  The pavilion itself was a series of 3 movies each 7-10 min in length.  The first was intriguing in that it was something to the effect of "Can Westerners speak Chinese?"  There were many celebrities, politicians and regular folks trying to speak Chinese.  Some successfully others not so.  All in all rather humorous.  After that I was unimpressed with the rest.


After the US Pavilion we were free to enjoy the rest of the Expo on our own.  What I saw was staggering.  It was line after line of people to get into all the pavilions.  The shortest would be 2-3 hours and the longest is upwards of 6 hours for the popular ones like Saudi Arabia.  The China pavilion requires a reservation and those 30,000 typically disappear within 20 minutes each morning so that was out.


Basically I just wandered around taking photos and was shocked by the amount of people lining up to get into these wonders.  Many of the building are truly amazing wonders.  However I'm not sure what was inside of them.  


The Expo lasts until end of October so I'm sure I will go back later on hopefully as the crowds diminish or in the evening.

Here is a view of the US....

 Here is the UK.  Very cool looking futuristic building.  While it looks a bit fuzzy trust me that the image is clear, this is what it looks like in person...

 A view of Germany and some of the crowds...

 A view of one of the lines that goes back and forth waiting just to get in.  They are pretty strict on people entering and leaving the lines so that means no chance to get something to eat/drink, go to the bathroom, sit down, etc.  I didn't take any photos buy many people bought small little folding stools that were maybe 8"x8"x8" to rest on.

As I was leaving I couldn't help but notice a number of folks sleeping on benches getting some rest after waiting in lines all day....