Some members of the Shanghaiist team are about to embark on ambitious Chinese New Year's expeditions. We wish everyone planning similar journeys a happy and safe trip. So you know what to look for, we're starting a list of the three biggest threats to your life as the year of the rat begins.
1. The Cold: This year's a cold one and it doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. See posting below.
2. Fireworks: This year is already off to a bad start (we resisted the powerful urge to say 'bang') in terms of firework related death and injury. They're particularly dangerous in China.
3. Wild elephant attacks: A poor English teacher had to learn this one the hard way. We hope he'll pull through. This particularly applies to those traveling in southern Asian regions.
Runner up:
-Carrefour stampedes. Always a serious risk.
Are we forgetting anything? Let us know.
Photo by Graemetric
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Fireworks related accidents are popular back home too, but the sheer volume of large fireworks going off on random street corners makes Shanghai a genuine war zone.
My friend Jamie got lucky a couple of years back. We were walking by where Logo Bar is now and the hard disc base from a rocket literally flew across the road and hit him in the eye - he wears glasses and they held.
Also, stand back in awe as you see families sending their small kids over to light huge fireworks with half smoked cigarettes, and back again when they don't go off the first time.