Saturday, December 14, 2013

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 !

 
 
 




 

6 Comments:

Blogger kenju said...

What a fabulous opportunity for them, and you get to benefit too!

4:26 PM  
Blogger Anvilcloud said...

They are having quite an experience. I bet they will be thrilled to get home when the time comes.

7:14 AM  
Blogger kenju said...

Thanks for the visit, Ginnie. I went to a party tonight at the Mansion and the people who work there said that we had gotten rave reviews from many who toured there, or who came to parties there.

My wreath is a collection of what looks like little green crabapples and at Christmas time, I add shiny red balls (the kind that come on stems)and in the middle hangs an ornament that says Merry Christmas.

5:06 PM  
Blogger possum said...

Fun post! The "orient" has never called to me, but it does look interesting. Are those prayer flags???

12:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've been reading about western China, so this is all interesting. Dianne

12:45 PM  
Blogger troutbirder said...

A former student and good classmate of my son married a Chinese woman and they live in the city where he teaches Economics at a University.

4:08 PM  

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