Autograph Please

After 2 months in China I think I have managed to defeat culture shock and adapt myself here. It is a big achievement! However, there still was one thing that bothered me....until last week. Why does everyone (and I mean everyone) have to stare at me every time I walk into the supermarket or walk around the block? And from what I heard from other friends here, they all have experienced this.
Last week (Oct 1 - Oct 9) we had a good 9 days holidays for the China National day. We thought it's a good time to go around and explore Shanghai. Instead of going in our car , we thought of taking a sightseeing bus tour. We took the bus and got down at the Bund (Waterfront area) on the Puxi side where the Pudong side of skyscrapers look magnificent. Well I must say it was crowded, insanely crowded. After all it's the national holiday - time when one of the world's largest migration happens and this migration mostly happens to Beijing and Shanghai when tourists from within and outside China come visit. This is the period of intensely heightened travel activity and it is the worst possible time of the year to travel in the country. The trains and buses are terribly overcrowded, plane fares and hotel rates are jacked up by as much as 100% over the usual prices, and the pickpockets are out in full force. Even though it was over bearing, it encapsulated a lot of what can be said to be the essence of China.
While we were enjoying the view of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Shanghai World Financial Centre Tower and many others, I could feel the flat out 'stare' in my direction. I was used to a couple stares while at the stores or anywhere outside, but not so much as a 100 pair of eyes on me. I was starting to get a little conscious..........
While I was feeling uncomfortable a Chinese lady walked up to Ram and handing him her camera asked if he could take a picture of her with me. Ram obliged. Next her son walked up to Kush and Arjun asking if we could take one more. While were doing that we saw a few of them standing next to us and asking their families to take a picture (without even asking us). Wow! Here I am a 'Celebrity'! Another lady walked by asking her husband to take a picture of her with Ram and I. To be honest, I started liking the attention, as a matter of fact, I just loved it. I was starting to feel like Julia Roberts or more like Angelina Jolie. Ram and I were the Brangelina of Shanghai (temporarily at least) :).
Until the Beijing Olympics, people in China have not been exposed to many foreigners much less been close to one. It is only natural that they would try to get a good look at us. So what if they stare? Chinese people are so very caring and friendly. Now I don't let stares bother me. I enjoy all the attention and walk on with a smile............................