Streets of Shanghai

 Bicycle bells ring throughout the day
to gather recycling

We really enjoy living in Shanghai. We are happy to live in the French Concession (or settlement) area:  smaller apartments, busy streets, narrow sidewalks,  but perfectly shaded and so many interesting sites.  We can walk mostly everywhere around town.  

The leaves are back
in the French Concession  

Tai Chi in nearby Xujiahui Park

Mao Zedong met here
in the French Concession during
early formation of communist party

The French Concession, French Town, helped make Shanghai known as the Paris of the East.   1920’s mansions and French-influenced architecture plus a lively Chinese streets give this area  color  and elegance.  When we see/hear other laowai, foreigners, they often are speaking French!

  

Jeanie's favorite flower vendor 

1904 St. Ignatius Cathedral in Xujiahui

Ken enjoys his $10 massage, wash and cut
around the corner from our apt

Jeanie enjoys spring color in Xujiahui park

French designed Xiangyang park 

We live on the Puxi side of Shanghai.  The Huangpu River separates PUXI from PUDONG.  (Pu means river.  Xi is west of river, and Dong is east.)

Every afternoon children accompanied by
Grandparents rollerblade
 in nearby Xujiahui Park

Calligraphy in the Lu Xun Park 

Badminton in Lu Xun park

The neighborhood is one big outdoor gym!

Typical alleyway or longtong in our neighborhood

 Blue and white calico hang to dry
 in this longtong

         

         

Shanghai Sculpture Park, within walking
distance from our apt.

Ken's Story:  abacus to computer

Ken with famous literary persons
on Duolun culture street

Interested in reading more about the history of Shanghai/China?  Here are Jeanie's book/dvd picks:

• Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
• Uncommon Journey, by Strobin & Wacs (In 1938, 20,000 Jews came to Shanghai to flee Nazi persecution)
• Wild Swans by Jung Chang
• Life and Death in Shanghai, by Nien Cheng
• Pearl of China, by Anchee Min
• DVD- Empire of the Sun
• DVD- Shanghai Calling (sort of cheezy, but somewhat accurate)

Shout out to Visitors!

 We  had a great visit with our Tacoma neighbors/friends:  Jill and Mia   
In addition, 
Holly, former Karshner teacher,  and friend, Clare came from Thailand to spend a couple of days with us.

Mia enjoys the outdoor
 gym equipment

We enjoy a morning at the Shanghai Zoo

Clare and Holly at Yu Gardens

Enjoying the nightlife in Puxi

Next time:  Beijing 

April in Japan

We just spent seven nights in Japan on the floor.  We stayed in Ryokans:  Japanese-style accommodation with tatami-mat rooms and futons instead of beds.  At night, the futons were laid out. Japanese breakfasts were served in our rooms on low tables and we sat on mats or on low chairs. Ryokans provide hot baths in separate communal tubs.

Homeikan Ryokan in Tokyo

          

  


 Many wear their Japanese robes or yukatas throughout the Ryokan.






We flew to Tokyo from Shanghai, and spent two nights in this modern yet classic city.

We appreciated the Japanese Pines as well as Sakura,
(cherry blossoms)

.

Cherry blossoms in peak season at Imperial Palace Park

Imperial Palace, home of Japan's Emperor

We loved the sculpted pines in the middle of Tokyo

We then took the  bullet train (Shinkansen) to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for one night. 

Mt. Fuji view from bullet train

The highlight of our trip was spent in Kyoto, ancient capital of Japan.  According to Lonely Planet Guide Book:  "Kyoto is one of the world's most culturally rich cities.  Kyoto ranks with Paris, London, and Rome as one of the cities that everyone should see at least once in their lives."

Narrow streets of Kyoto

Geisha District in Kyoto

Blossom-lined street in front of our Ryokan

Jeanie along the path of philosophy

Pagoda in Chion-in

Many women dress in Kimonos
during Spring Cherry Blossom Season

 The gardens, temples, and blossoms were breathtaking.  Japan is an extremely clean country:  the air, streets, neighborhoods and cities.  We really appreciated the freshness and blue sky!

View of Kyoto and surrounding mountains
 from Nanzen-Ji Temple

Ken in bamboo grove

Drinking green tea in bamboo grove

Jeanie's favorite garden in Tenryu-Ji

Ken's favorite garden in Okochi Sanso

.

Kiyomizu-dera

Pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera

Japan is a beautiful country.  It consists of 3,900 small islands (a few of which China claims to be theirs) and four major islands:  Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Japan  is also one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world. The Japanese are meticulous, efficient, industrious, and very polite. We enjoyed interacting with the Japanese and getting to know more about this beautiful country just east of China.

"His Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light onto my path.."
Psalm 119:105

Continuing to walk in His light,  
Ken and Jeanie

.  

Next Time:  The Streets of Shanghai  

Spring in China

Under the peach blossoms

We love exploring places inside of Shanghai, and outside of Shanghai.  Hangzhou is a beautiful destination 45 minutes on the speed train, (190 miles per hour!) southwest of Shanghai. The cost is about $12 per person per way. Shanghai's train system is incredible:  fast and cheap.

We left on a Friday evening and returned on Sunday night.  This weekend trip was well worth it.



 Hanghzhou has its roots in the Qin dynasty (221 BC).  In the 13th century, Marco Polo passed through, and described this city  as "one of the finest and most splendid cities in the world."

Biking across the lake on the Causeway

Moon gate in the Jingci Temple

Hangzhou is a big city of 6 million people, and the main tourist destination is its West Lake.(Xi Hu)  Miles of walking trails, around the lake and across the lake (causeways) abound.  Bike and boat riding are also very popular.

Sorry, Kaz, no kayaks!

Always dancing....

We enjoyed leaving 23 million people in Shanghai and finding room to breathe (clean air!) and relax.  When we have visitors in Shanghai, we'll be sure and take you to Hangzhou.

Weeping Willows line the canals

Classical Chinese beauty

Even in the rain, it's lovely

Jingci Temple, originally built in 954 AD

Better than fireworks!

Nightly water shows on lake

Next Up:  Cherry Blossoms in Japan, April 4-11

Have a Blessed Easter,

Ken and Jeanie