I'm an American woman who moved to shanghai in 2005 to teach English for one year. 7 years later and I'm still here, no longer teaching, but managing a school. What was supposed to be a one year adventure has turned into an interesting career. As my income has increased over the years I've been able to afford nicer housing in this expensive city. On the outside these old lane houses, built in 1934, mask the modern renovations inside. It's old and new juxtaposed in one gated neighborhood. I sit inside my apartment complete with foreign amenities such as an oven, satellite tv, washing machine and dryer, and bathtub. And I look out my window where my neighbors, an elderly couple who have probably raised a few generations in their home, are drying their clothes... And their fish... Out the window.