One of the simple pleasures of living in Shanghai is taking a shower in the pre-dawn hours and gazing through the wide open bathroom window from our 22nd-floor apartment to the city streets below. Standing under the stream of hot water with the cool breeze blowing in from a tall narrow window, it’s almost like showering outdoors in the warm rain under an urban banyan tree situated deep in the vast expanse of an enormous concrete jungle.
Awake before in the fading darkness while the megalopolis still sleeps, I am able to peer through my little portal to the world and catch a clear view of deserted city streets trailing off into the myriad of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers that is Shanghai. A gentle wind whispers through the window. The misty scent of fresh rain touches my nose.
Empty streets gradually come to life as Shanghai, a teeming city of over 24 million people, eventually awakens to meet the a brisk fall day under the gentle rain of a gray and cloudy sky. It’s surprising how such crowded streets become so deserted each night.
Small clusters of umbrella clad pedestrians scurry along shiny sidewalks under London plane trees, whose now ochre leaves are just beginning to dapple the streets beneath. The fuzzy red and green glow of traffic lights reflect across standing puddles on black thoroughfares snaking past clumps of buildings and tenement halls.
Countless streaking raindrops mesmerize as they free fall to the earth below, conjuring impressions of faraway places, both in space and time. My mind drifts. The spray of warm water and cool air evokes images, mottled caricatures of distance lands. The flowing movements of the tai chi master practicing among the dewy palm groves below conveys a certain harmony and oneness with the universe.
The blade sings scratchy notes and whiskers fall as I draw the razor across my face. Visions of mountain temples, glimpses of piercing smoky eyes from behind silky veils, and of fertile valleys to be crossed on journeys still to come dance across my corpus callosum as I consider the possibilities.
Deep within the bowels of passion’s furnace, a solitary ember of inspiration faintly glows and flickers to life, rekindling the latent fervor for another quest. Pupils narrow as my eyes fix on the skyline, the distant horizon that looms like a specter in the mist. A touring bike patiently waits on the balcony. The planets are aligning. An adventure is in the making.
In the dark kitchen, an espresso machine hisses to life. The temperature ready light blinks from red to green. Soon there will be a wee spot piping hot chestnut brown espresso for the taking, a coveted jolt of caffeine to sharpen the senses, to fuel the morning’s activities. New exploits await.
Happiness is about the simple pleasures in life. It’s not always about the open road, but it’s about quiet times too. It’s also about the moments spent sowing the seeds and considering the possibilities for the next journey, dreaming the dream if you will.
Like a perfect wave, the day looks fine and fair. It looks worth the effort. Life is good. The dream is alive. Adventure is out there…if you’re willing to take that first step that is.
Cheers, Johnny
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