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| Welcome to Shanghai! It sure felt modern and like we'd returned to civilization. We didn't even need a guide to translate for us -- this was the only part of China where we didn't need a guide. We could walk in parts and taxis were easy to get. The heat was still nasty in June, with both me and Ken almost fainting after a morning run along the river. |
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| This was our view as we ran along the river. |
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| And, the famous mini Shanghai dumplings. We ate at a chain of this restaurant in KL and couldn't resist going again. The kids are gaga for these dumplings and we ordered thirds. |
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| How they make the dumplings |
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| Steaming the dumplings |
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| We went to the charming neighborhood of the "French Concession" where it seems they have a problem with fireworks on Chinese New Year. |
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| Garbage men, again, just don't seem like untouchable pariah in China. This one was chatting up the locals, chilling with a ciggie. |
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| French Connection neighborhood streets, much more quiet and human-friendly than most of China. Click HERE to see and hear live crickets up close sold as pets in the streets of Shanghai. |
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| One of the many French Connection shops |
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| This model posed in front of a historic French Connection home. |
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| This just cracked me up, being a Bklyn girl |
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| French Connection warren of touristy alleyways, with some charm until you look hard. Then, you see that the Chinese government dealt with its historic homes by not preserving them, since that would require too much patience and respect for the past, but by mowing history down and replacing it with a Disney-like impersonation of the past. |
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| Dining in the alleyway. Ice cold drinks is what we are sucking down. |
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| A historic home that many took pictures in front of. |
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| Our hotel, right next to the river! Love this location, service, lounge area with a view, and the rooms. A necessary respite from China city streets. |
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| Riverside road our hotel is on |
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| Our hotel |
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| Our hotel image, clearly catering to the expat crowd |
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| Shanghai Museum of ancient Chinese art and objects - well-worth the visit |
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| The museum has a couple thousand coins from the Silk Road. We were fascinated. |
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| The mould to make the coins |
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| Another coin mould |
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| Garb from the hundreds of Chinese ethnic groups |
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| Tibetan masks. You know, Tibet is part of China, they say round here. And, it was the Tibetan anniversary of liberation, with all the Tibetans celebrating being "free," according to the local Chinese government-controlled media. They were having such a good time celebrating that no foreigners were allowed to travel to Tibet at that time to see Tibetans in the throes of happiness. |
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| Ancient chess game, Griffin coveted it |
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| Ancient Chinese fighting dog, probably the origin of the pit bulls in our Brooklyn neighborhood. June 17, 2011 |
