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The ultimate Expo granny
One Japanese grandmother has made World Expos her mission, and it's already mission accomplished for this year's Shanghai 2010 Expo
For braving the Shanghai 2010 Expo crowds for 38 days, we think she should get more than a trophy. Maybe her own life-size Haibao?Who is the “Expo Granny”? This 62-year-old Japanese retired civil servant has a simple mission: to go to every World Expo and see every pavilion. She had a perfect record at the 2005 Japan World Expo where she was awarded the EXPO Perfect Attendance Award, but how would she fare in this year's sweltering, queue-infested Shanghai version?
Well it's taken her longer than a month, but she's done it. Put a big check mark next to the Shanghai 2010 Expo entry. It took her 38 days to see all 373 pavilions, according to ChinaReviewAgency. Beyond being impressed at her stamina and crowd-surfing abilities, we’re also trying to work out whether 38 days is an inordinately long time, or impressively short time to see all the 2010 pavilions, considering the record Expo attendance.
To accomplish her goal, the “Expo Granny” started making trips to Shanghai four years ago to prepare for the event, and even rented an apartment only 2km from the Expo grounds.
According to the same report report, “Expo Granny spent approximately RMB 700,000 on her trip to Shanghai Expo, [on things] such as residential rent, air tickets, admission fees, souvenirs, etc.”
That's dedication. Our next question: does she give tours?
