And then there was another holiday....

This year it happened that the day after Mid-Autumn Festival was another major holiday, the National Day Holiday, the Middle Kingdom's equivalent to the 4th of July. 

The National Day is just one day, October 1, but everyone gets one week off of work and/or school. 

People here do not get vacations like people in the western world do. The only time they get off of work is when there are national holidays like this. Everyone is off work at the same time -- there is no staggering to it -- so the crowds are always enormous during holiday times.

I decided for the holidays to make a trip to Shanghai. It must have been a great idea, because everyone had it.

This is Nanjing Road pedestrian street in Shanghai. I couldn't get up high enough to take a good picture, but there were people as far as you can see in all directions. I got a kick out of it, took a few pictures, then headed to other parts of town that were less familiar to tourists.

 An outdoor cafe section of town, one of my favorite spots.

Lots of flag-waving was going on. People here love their country, just like people everywhere do.

 Reflections on this building reveal what is across the street.

More outdoor coffee shops/restaurant. It was a beautiful day. I can't believe I was able to buy a train ticket to get to Shanghai, and even more shocked that I was able to catch taxis in Shanghai!