Days 31 & 32

  This is my last weekend in Shanghai.  Classes are over and I fly back to the USA on Monday, so I've got to see as much as possible on Saturday and Sunday.  Note, if you want to see any picture larger than the small image here, just click on it, and you should get a full screen image.

On Saturday I went to the town on Qibao and to the art complex, M50.  Qibao is a town with a canal and a lot of little stores.  It is also on the Subway line, so it is easy to get to.  I thought it would be similar to Xitang, the cute water village we visited several weeks ago, but I found out it was very different once I got there. Once I got out of the subway station I was in the middle of a large city.  I walked in one direction and did not find anything, then walked in the other direction.  Did not see anything, until I saw a large picture of a water town on a billboard.  Kept walking in that direction and finally thought I needed to ask for directions.  Saw signs for schools teaching English and thought I could explain my dilema and ask for directions.  It worked, and I was now heading for the canal area. Found it and explored the stores, alleyways and canal.  It was not old like Xitang, and there was just one canal.

Left Qibao and went to M50.  M50 is an old industrial complex that has been converted into individual art galleries and studios.  There are many buildings and galleries, and it is similar to the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria Virginia.  Visited many galleries, ate lunch there, attended auctions, and openings of exhibitions.  Most unusual work was video on wall with picture of woman and words telling you to call a phone number.  Guys working the gallery told me to call it, which I did.  When you call the number, the woman picks up the phone, moves around, then sends you a text message on your phone.  Very amazing.
I met a woman managing another gallery and we decided to go out to dinner.  We first went to another gallery and met the family of the artist.  It turns out the artist is an art professor in the US, and we were talking to his neice, who is also studying in the US.  He gave me his card and you will see a photo of Josh Yu.

On Sunday I met my friend Jay Zhou, and his girl friend Yolanda.  I met Jay at a Toastmaster's meeting at Shanghai University.  He is an engineering graduate student and has been very nice and helpful to me.  He wanted to show me around Shanghai on Sunday, and we were busy from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM.  Also, he wanted Yolanda to practice her English on Sunday.  We first traveled to the Longhua_Temple via subway and bus.  Spent some time there, and Yolanda made several prayers.  Although most Chinese are not religious, many will say a prayer at a Buddhist temple, requesting good health, good luck, help finding a marriage partner, or success on an exam.  After we visited each of the Temples, we met up with Peggy and her mother.  Her mother was very sweet and treated us all to lunch.  After lunch we took a bus to Xitiandi, a very fancy area with many cafes, restaurants and shops.  We stayed there while Jay took Yolanda to the train station, as she had to return home Sunday afternoon.  After relaxing at a local cafe, we toured the house where the Communists had their first meetings.  Then we walked to Wu Jiang Road, also known as the food street.  We had dinner there, and each of us made a custom bowl of soup.  After dinner we walked around a bit, then walked back to Huaihai Road.  We passed a large Apple store, went in the Louis Vuitton store, which was just accross the street from the Cartier store.  After this we all went our ways home via the subway.  In the subway I met another couple from the US who happend to also be staying at Shanghai University.  We all got off at the Yangchang exit together.  I was exhausted.  The end of my Shanghai exploring.  Tomorrow I had to pack and go to Pudong airport for my trip home.

Fountain and play area near entrance to canal in Qibao

The canal in Qibao

Shopping in Qibao

Food vendor in Qibao

Two men at tea house in Qibao

Buildings and canal in Qibao

Jeff and Professor Josh Yu at his grand opening at M50

Jay with his friends at Longhua Temple

Yolanda lighting sticks and saying prayer at Longhua

This is the Buddha of Wisdom.  Parents come here to say a prayer for their child.

Women were singing prayers

Photo of Temple with 500 Buddhas

Our group at lunch.  On my left is Peggy, friend of Jay's, and her mother is on my right.  Mother was very nice.

Jeff with Yolanda and Peggy in Xitiandi

Jeff with Yolanda and Peggy, admiring Jeff's stomach

Jay and Yolanda

Peggy and Yolanda in doorway

Our group by fountain in Xitiandi

We are at sidewalk cafe in Xitiandi

Our group at Wu Jiang Road, the food street

Cartier store on Huaihai Road, across the street from Apple store.  Both buildings were lit up with blue lights at night



My Certificate