MagLev Train

Maglev train, just the sound of it is cool. It is only the fastest commercial train on the planet!!!! It uses magnetic levitation with a maximum commercial speed of 268 mph. For all you boys (girls too) out there that still love trains, this is quite an experience. The train was designed to move travelers from the city to the outlying international airport, which in car can take about 35 minutes without traffic. The train makes no stops, it leaves from Pudong on outskirts of the city center, actually very close to where I live, and drops you off at the airport in 7 minutes. Because the kids were off in the middle of the week for moon festival, we decided to take a ride on the maglev train. First of all it is very slick. It was clean and efficient. We bought VIP tickets so we had big windows and comfy seats. Getting moving is not like on airplane, so you don't get as much of a G-force rush but you do get moving quickly. What is different about the train is the perception of speed. You can appreciate your speed so much more when the houses are flying by you. Even more impressive is when you pass by an oncoming maglev train. Isn't it the theory of relativity that helps define motion. Well, if you never understood it in physics, you can ride the maglev train and experience it, because when we passed the oncoming maglev at greater tha 250 mph, it almost felt like it was traveling at light speed. Seriously it was a blink of an eye and the train was gone, so cool.

I must say however, if you are one to get dizzy or have a seizure disorder, the maglev is not for you. The rapid flashing of outside world from houses to trees etc can get your head spinning as your eyes continually try to find a place to focus. Anyway, we were out to the airport and back in less than an hour.

Kiddo update, I sent the kids to school on Thursday everything seemed fine. Jackson complained of headache and upset tummy Thursday night. On Friday, no fever JP still complained but I figured he was just at the tail end and was fine. I sent him to school... Less than on hour later the phone call....JP threw up in class. Home again! Emmy's boo boo is looking much better.