Right now it is 5:30 AM in China. It is so easy to wake up this early here. I think I woke up at 4 AM and then I took a cab alone out to find an open internet cafe. The driver didn't know any English, but the hotel people helped him with what I wanted. The place is packed right now with people playing games and hanging out. The driver stopped in the middle of the road and asked for directions. It was interesting.
Anyway in regard to yesterday's activities, we started off the day by taking the bus to the bund river. On the drive over on this large freeway, I noticed many of the small apartment buildings (all owned by the government) had all of their laundry hung out to dry on bamboo sticks.
This is the huge river port that separates the old city from the new. And for those of you who don't know, there is a lot of European influence here because of the affects of the opium war and the occupation of France and England. When we arrived there were hundreds of Chinese tourists. Probably people from the rural areas who have never been to the big city. The most amazing thing about it wasn't the large towers that are the largest in the world across the river; but the Chinese fascination with two African Americans we are traveling with; James and Tessie. They just stared at them because there are not a lot of blacks and westerners that come through this way. The scene was of overcast and possibly pollution. There were many pan handlers selling 3 dollar Rolexes. (I will buy many of those when in Beijing because I lose watches so often). There were buildings like the peace hotel, the pearl tower, the jummou building as well as the highest office building in Shanghai. It was a neat little stop.
Next we went to the Yu gardens. This is a 400 year old traditional Chinese garden owned by a rich man. It has very good harmony with Nature and the home. I took many videos of this sight. If you think of a traditional oriental garden; this would be it. Huge rock formations, small trees, ponds, bushes, dragons, corridors and resting places all were meant to help the mind be creative and to relax. Perfect fung-shue. I am beginning to understand what it is all about. The yin and yang; a balance of positive and negative. We crossed zig zag bridges which are designed so that evil spirits can't cross (they are dumb and can only go in a straight line.) I took videos of the golden coy (carp) that you can imagine should fit perfectly in a Chinese pond.
Near the gardens we next went shopping in the "Chinatown" of China! This is traditional architecture at its best. You know..... The neatly shaped roof tops. But at this Chinatown... it was all about shopping and tourist traps. There were items of all kind. Half of which I didn't understand. I had to contain myself not to purchase stuff because there is still a long way. I crossed the street with Prof Stamps and nearly got hit by an oncoming motorcycle. It was awesome!!!! That street was dangerous. At the shop across the street a local talked to me in English to come inside. This is the technique that they all do. Anyways, she spoke really good English and we had excellent goofy conversation. The whole time I was smiling and she had mentioned that I was a "very very happy person." I felt like I should support her store because she was so nice so I bought a 5 dollar wooden dragon. After this we had the most phenomenal Chinese lunch you can ever imagine! This was all overlooking the old town. I AM LOVING THIS PLACE!
We next went to a museum. I checked out this old bronze collection and later I had some tea and randomly walked up to some guy form England and struck up a conversation. I saw the rest of the museum and in the gift shop I bought a CD with traditional china music.
At 4:30 it was back to the hotel for "nap time" but professor Stamps and I decided to go for a walk. We went furniture browsing and he bought a small folding chair for 10 US. I totally wanted the 26000 Yuan bed set that was imported from Burma and was hand carved. We turned down an alley and chit chatted with some locals trying to lead us in their grand opening store. They said in broken English that we would get a free umbrella. We found the umbrellas and I acquired one. We saw we only had 30 minutes left to get back and we turned around. Turning down the wrong way we ended up in this very poor street. It is hard to describe this and I took no photos out of respect. Basically this wrong turn took us straight back into time into a traditional setting. People in these 12 X 12 feet homes made of fired bricks running about 1 and a half stories high. Very open feel with no doors or windows. We saw people cooking outside, playing mahjongg, playing badminton, and people in this quasi grocery store. Possibly 3 generations of family living in such a small quarter. My brother says he lives somewhat vicariously through my fun little trips, but it is these moments that are just hard to describe when I am out here in other countries wandering. These are the experiences that help you learn a lot and experiences that help you appreciate the things you have back home.
Once we got back we left for dinner and ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING SHOWS I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!!! I am just speechless at how perfect this acrobatic show was. You have to see the videos to experience it. I don't even want to describe it because I need to get going now to get back to the hotel in time. I can't wait to show you guys this amazing show. Yesterday was unbelievable! Talk to you guys later!
