Lisa in China (Continued)…

Lisa’s latest letter concentrated on their visit to Shanghai. She writes that the Western influence is very apparent in parts of the city with upscale shopping centers and sleek, modern buildings. Happily most of it is not like the tacky “U and Me Café” seen above. Shanghai is a city of great wealth with a very large international presence and unlike Pinghu, where they both teach, it’s easy to find Western food. She and her husband still prefer to stick to the many flavors of China however, since they will only be there for a year and want to immerse themselves in the culture.

With this in mind they visited Old Town and spent a few hours at the Confucious Temple and School. They had a lovely young woman as their guide who spoke good English and enlightened them about the famous and revered scholar, as well as traditions and symbolisms that originated 1000’s of years ago and are still ingrained in the people.
                                 
                                         

 

The Old Town is the traditional urban core of Shanghai and originally was defined by a defensive wall. Most of this was demolished in 1912 but the Old City still teems with people. The little alleyways and side streets are filled with Shanghai residents who still live in neighborhoods that reflect the Shanghai of long ago.

That includes these three friends, dressed in modern attire but enjoying the age old tradition of flying kites ! 

                              

Lisa and her husband have 8 more months in China. I miss her but am so glad that she is living this adventure and sharing it with me … so I can pass it along to you !