In Shanghai and elsewhere in China, it was hard to miss the blue Gumby-rip-off mascot of the 2010 World Trade Expo, which apparently China thinks will rank 2nd only to the Olympics in terms of prestige and world acclaim. I see now that the mascot's name is "Haibao", but since Jonny & I didn't know this, at some point along the line we began to refer to him as "Softie", for reasons unremembered.
Since Softie appeared at every street corner, he eventually acquired a voice and a personality, as we 'made' him comment on our various activities. Finally, he joined us on our travels, and we learned his true, dark nature. Apparently prone to heroin use, hobo murder, and soliciting prostitutes, Softie is not the type you want along for the ride, believe me. At no point did his brutal badgering of Jon & I stop--clearly we did not bring the party he was hoping for. Frankly, I think China Expo 2010 could have chosen more wisely.
By the end of the trip, it became unclear where Softie begins and we end. Who made who?
