Over 30 million visitors, mostly Chinese fascinated by what’s going on in the rest of the world, have flocked to the massive Expo site on both banks of the Huangpu River since May 1 to check out a kaleidoscope of countries and cultures at over two hundred national, corporate and themed pavilions. The Idiot, who competed with the popular Italian and British exhibitions, wanted to be part of the action.

The sun shines on the Chinese Provinces pavilion.

Visitors must cross the Huangpu River by ferry to the see all of Expo.

The Idiot looks into the Italy pavilion.

The “Talking Idiot Exhibit,” located on a terrace between two silver-sculpted pandas, offered Chinese visitors an opportunity to “chat with an American author about anything.” Besides promoting “The Idiot and the Odyssey,” I wound up discussing American obesity, Paris fashion, Italian garbage, Tibetan trauma, Homer’s “Odyssey,” Brittany Spears, Chinese manners, the Greek debt and other important topics throughout one afternoon.

These three young women wanted to know if all US T-shirts were really made in China.

“Pointing is rude in many cultures,” I pointed out to one visitor.

The big Expo pastime, beside watching a piano/ballet recital in Poland and shopping in the African bazaar, was getting a personal Expo “passport” stamped at as many countries as possible. The Idiot, however, also made sure to get stamps in his real passport at the Cuba, North Korea and Iran pavilions.

The Idiot also made an appearance this week at China’s first Apple Store, which opened earlier this month. He told visitors to the underground store that an electronic version of “The Idiot and the Odyssey” would soon be sold on iPad and again dispensed some cultural hints.

The Idiot gives a lesson in “How To Wear A Baseball Cap” outside the core of the underground Apple Store.

Naturally The Idiot walked all over Shanghai and last night reflected about China’s remarkable evolution as he MedTrekked along the Huangpu River at sunset.

Shanghai sunset on the Huangpu River between the Expo and the Apple Store.

Text: Joel Stratte-McClure

Photos: Joel Stratte-McClure and Lex Hames (3)

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About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."