Dead Shanghai

After five days without running water in my apartment because of a broken pipe in my kitchen, the problem is finally fixed. The plumber apparently had a hard time finding the elbow joint that he needed to make the repair because many of the plumbing stores in town are closed for Chinese New Year.

In fact, it seems that half of Shanghai has left town. Many stores & businesses have been closed all week: the rock gym is quiet, the street vendors are gone, even the corner quickie mart is dark.

I wonder when things will get back to normal. I'm really craving some street food.