Hello family, friends, coworkers, students, parents, and any others who might have stumbled upon our little adventure. Today was our free day in Shanghai so there will be multiple stories to tell, some firsthand, some heard secondhand. I will start with Chris, Jen, Katie, Kevin, Kim, and Samantha’s group, only because I was a part of it. Unfortunately soon after the journey began we lost Jen (no she was not Shanghaied, she was not feeling well and had to go back to the hotel for a brief rest). The rest of us journeyed on along the subway to Qibao, a Chinese version of Venice. It was not elegant, nor were there singing boatmen plying the canals, however it was uniquely Chinese. There were CROWDS, stinky tofu, cheap Chinese souvenirs, and interesting looks at domestic Chinese tourists (we were some of the few western tourist in the area). We went to a museum that gave us some insight into the “Cricket Culture” that was popular in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was interesting to see some of the paraphernalia that surrounded the hunting of, breading of, and the fighting of crickets (yes the little chirping insects were put into arenas to do battle with one another). After Qibao we hopped the subway to a very busy and working (as opposed to touristy) Buddhist temple. We also visited a park dedicated to the Martyrs of the Communist rise to power. It was interesting to see the nationalist myth and propaganda surrounding the fight against the foreign imperialist. We finished our day by walking through what appeared to be a working class neighborhood on our way to Zhabei Park. The park itself was interesting in that we saw the people of Shanghai at leisure. Badminton, fishing, cards, Chinese chess, and just plain relaxing in the evening.
Highlights from other groups include: When I say highlights I literally mean highlights. I will get back to some of the sights and sounds of what others did in a bit, but the highlights belong to Mr. Matthew Sudnik. He was with a group of women who decided to go get their hair washed. While waiting in the salon it became apparent that one particular fad amongst Chinese men is to have their hair lightened in color. After a bit of price negotiations Matthew is now a dirty blond. Other highlights include a trip to the propaganda museum, architectural tours of the Bund, blood pudding soup (ask Donna how it tastes), trips to the airport (nobody has left yet, David’s brother arrived), another trip to Qiboa (Jen was feeling better so she and Lauren made the trek out), and finally high tea at the Peace Hotel. Two hours of fine tea, savory and sweet snacks, and good conversation, along with the mental gymnastics of balancing the historical fact that this particular high tea was once the exclusive province of an elite European class that has now been supplanted by an affluent Chinese tourist class. How is that for being in a socialist country?
When you put the experiences together you get a unique picture. Shanghai, as Peter, a previous tour guide of ours has put it “the city that shows the 100 year history of China”, Shanghai the city in which you can go to a museum and read about the Martyrs who have died to show you the correct outlook on life, and morality. Martyrs who have died in order to help you to become “new men of socialism.” Shanghai, home to “People’s Square.” Shanghai, home to Dolce and Gabana and Ferrari, as well as Tai Chi and cricket culture. Shanghai, a city of over 20 million people who simply want everybody wants, a good life.
Study Tour
