Leon did a good job of orientating us to the subway. We had no reservations of heading to Nanjing Road Sunday evening for a little shopping and dinner. It was the return trip that gave us a taste to what rush hour might be like in the big cities. We, along with what appeared as everyone else, rushed to catch the last train for the evening. It was like sardines in a can, a crowd experience that you don’t want very often. Kathy
Not far from our hotel is the Luxun Park. Nestled in the midst of high-rise apartment buildings is a tree-lined lake that snakes its way about the plazas, pavilions, gardens and footpaths. There were people everywhere, not just setting along the benches and strolling under the trees but engaged in all sorts of activities. At the first tree filled plaza there were three ladies in pink “pajamas” moving in sync, swirling long swords, an older lady in blue practicing her Ti Chi, another two with badminton rackets batting a “birdie” about (no net). Off to one side was a group of at least twenty couples, all in graceful ballroom movement dancing to “Moon River”. With random other couples about the plaza mimicking the moves, oblivious to those around them.
Moving further into the park we could hear the voices of a group singing. Perched on top of a shaded knoll was a large group of men and women gathered in front of a suspended handwritten newsprint board, as a lady conducted the harmonious parts. Not a formal group or a religious service, best I could tell, just people who wanted to sing. I would have song along too, if only I could have read the words!
As we moved along the pathway we saw musicians playing traditional Chinese stringed instruments (I’ll have to look it up later to give them names). Along one path was a threesome, one playing a single stringed instrument and two singing using a microphone. Their talent not all that great, but their passion was sincere. There were men playing board games, a little boy with a net swooping up tadpoles, and a man writing with a “water brush” Chinese characters on the sidewalk.
We were as much of a spectacle to those in the park as the patrons of the park were to us. Jan (maybe because of her blond hair) was asked to “please hold baby to take picture”. I’m not sure the baby was impressed but the mother was thrilled. As we paraded through the park we got lots of smiles as well as stares. I can’t think of a better way to relate to a culture than a stroll in the park on a Sunday morning. Kathy
It was good to see Leon again. He took us by subway to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. There, on the third floor, is a scaled model of all of Shanghai (or at least a three mile radius from the center) that gave us an appreciation of the city and its vastness. The Pu Dong side of the Huangpu River with its skyscrapers, high-rises, boulevards, and planned communities has all been built within the last twenty years, amazing! From this building we went to an older more traditional part of town that is in transition into a “Soho” style neighborhood. It was a maze of narrow lanes and alleyways consisting of stylish shops, restaurants, and galleries mixed with residences that had stone washbasins at the door and laundry hung out to dry.
After a 14-hour flight out of Detroit we arrived in Shanghai Thursday evening. We were met by our guide, Peter, with a coach bus that took us through town to our hotel – the Joyfull (not misspelled) International. Even thought our bodies thought it was 8 AM our journey had worn us out and most tried to get a night’s sleep.
Friday started out with a hug buffet breakfast provided by the hotel. It was a breakfast that appealed to all cuisine, sliced meats and cheeses, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereals, sausage, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and a variety of buns and breads. In addition, there was fried rice, noodles, sushi, hot congee, and an assortment of pickled and dried fruits.
Peter picked us up in the lobby at 9 and we headed out to a full day of touring which included Shanghai Museum, China Town and the Yuyuan Garden, Oriental Pearl Town Observation Deck and the Shanghai City Museum. We ended the day with a boat ride on the Huangpu River.
Exhausted we turned to our hotel and found a neighborhood noodle shop and ate. All were in their rooms by 9 PM. Me, fast asleep soon after. Today we will meet up with Bryan’s friend from his University days here at Shanghai, Leon, who will help us learn to navigate the subway and move about the city. – submitted by Kathy
Heading to China on June 24, just three weeks from today . There are eight of us that will be based in Hangzhou at Zhejiang University. I spent six weeks in Hangzhou last summer so I feel comfortable with the surroundings and can’t wait to get back there and see my friends again. Last summer I took a four-week-intensive Mandarin language class; but, somehow I think that I have lost most of my ability. Should have been practicing all year.
We will be studying the health care system and of course learning about culture. Also, the great food is a real plus. We will take a few side trips to Shanghai and a trip to Beijing for a few days.