Twenty Five Years…

… and counting! This weekend was a four-day weekend due to “Tomb Sweeping” day in China. Also known as the Qingming Festival when Chinese visit the tombs of relatives and friends – for more on this tradition click HERE. We had plans to go many places during these four days, but the weather did not cooperate on Saturday or Sunday so we did not do much those two days. However, Monday, April 4th was a glorious sunny day. We were very happy since it also marked our 25th wedding anniversary (thank you Lord for keeping us together and happy as we are). The plan for Monday was to go and visit Shanghai just for the day. Charles, a friend of ours who lives in Shanghai, offered to show us around his favorite spots so we gladly accepted. Charles has lived in China for the past 20 years and his mandarin is great. He also knows every nook and cranny you can imagine and he is very happy to show new folks around “his” city.

Shanghai is way too big to tour in one day, so Charles had a list of what he thought we could see for the highlights. It was a quick tour and we did not get to see all of the items in the list, but we had a great time. Many thanks Charles! We must come back and stay a few days to really get to know this wonderful city of around 17 million people (per the 2010 census). For now just a few pictures to give you a taste of what we saw.

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Our 25th anniversary picture. Never thought we would be in Shanghai for it. Still going strong!!!

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The biggest Apple store I have ever seen any where; it is below this cool entrance. The place was packed and each table had two to three rows of people waiting to their new toys. Apple seems to be doing very well in China, judging by this store.

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The number of people with cameras is mind-blowing; like in many other places. However, the number of people with expensive dSRL's was really striking. Tourism is very big and this lady is taking her friends picture as Shanghai flies by her.

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This is a look down one of the narrow street Charles took us into. The is a large network of this streets jammed with little stores selling a wide variety of items. Even though it looked like a tourist trap, most of those buying were nationals.

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A familiar sight in China; a mobile CD & DVD sales girl. The box has two small, but powerful speakers blasting music and advertising to all the latest CD or DVD movie. Many just released in the US. Average price for the latest DVD movie is 10 RMB or $1.20 or so.

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Charles took us to one of the most beautiful old hotels in Shanghai; the Peace Hotel. Built in the early 1900's it is beautiful and has so much detail all around it. Unfortunately pictures were not allowed in many areas; this is the side entrance just to give you an idea as to what the front might look like.

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Pudong district seen from the Bund. This is the classic Shanghai skyline; quite beautiful at night. Waiting for my tripod to arrive - will be back to this same spot for same night shots. The lights at night around this area are simply fantastic.

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My wife taking her time looking at the menu at a Paulander restaurant in one of the very quaint restaurant spots in the French Quarter.

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The chinese women love their high heels; this is a fine example of what most of the young ladies wear in Suzhou and Shanghai; my wife has a hard time understanding how they can walk in the often uneven grounds around the city.

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Went by a small door and wallah! A small market - had to go in.

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The beef looks really good, but been told to stay away from it, specially from vendors in markets like this. I think it is a matter of not having the resistance the nationals have to the lack of hygiene.

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Fish heads anyone? They make great fish soup. Good example on hygiene practices in this type of local markets.

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Talking about contrast. From small shops to obscene stores catering to the extremely wealthy. This is a new mall where you see the most expensive brands from around the world. Six floors of endless stores, many brands we never heard of.

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Last view of the still growing city of Shanghai. We will be back.

 

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