chinabloggers

The end of an adventure

Today is Friday, July 18, 2008. I've been home since Tues. night. No more China. I came home via Africa and Zurich and had a great time. South Africa and Namibia were very interesting and beautiful. I saw another whole new culture but of course for a very short time. I had 7 hours in Zurich so I left the airport, had breakfast downtown and strolled around "old town". That was very great. My pictures are not yet on the computer so I will tell you all about this holiday with pics probably next week.

Chinese Wedding

On May 10th I attended the wedding of My chinese teacher, Sarah. Sarah has actually been married for over a year, legally. That's the way they do it here. They don't live together but have the legal ceremony and then save their money to have what we would call the reception. When we arrived Sarah and Jason greeted their guests who could have their picture taken with the couple. Here she wears the traditional white gown, he in tux. Once everyone arrived the couple proceeds up the aisle. This is actually in the hotel where the reception is taking place. A couple of speech's are made by the mothers not the fathers, and the couple leave. It's time to change clothes. Sarah changed into this beautiful red dress. I thought I was getting these pictures to be placed within the words but I see that's not happening. I'm sure you can match the dresses to the correct part. While they are gone, the meal is started and although I have not developed a liking for real Chinese food there is so much served that I can find a few things to eat - enough to fill me for sure. I have no real idea of what I'm eating though. When Sarah and Jason return they again proceed up the aisle pushing the cart with all the candles. The candles are put on everyone's tables. There are some more speeches and the couple leave again to change into the 3rd dress. This dress is quite beautiful, actually my favourite. It is champagned colour. There was a flower girl. I think she went up the aisle after Sarah's first time. She dropped flower petals and wore a lovely little girl dress not a fancy one like our flower girls wear. Somewhere in this time Sarah and Jason ate something quickly. Sarah and Jason went around to all the tables to talk with their guests who smoked a cigarette that Sarah lit, apparently to ensure the quick arrival of a male heir. Nobody smoked at our table and at that point we didn't know why they were doing that. We drank to the couple. Cake was served. There was also a scavenger hunt. About 6 children took part and ran through the room looking for certain items including ties which the men at our table were able to provide and when time was called they went up to the front to show what they had found. All were given a prize. The people do not dress up for weddings as we do. They wear simple clothes that's why there were no other ties. It was a lot of fun and I was glad I had the opportunity for this experience.

In 4 weeks I'll be in Africa and then home. I will add one more post at that time with my pictures from Africa and probably some from Zurich. I hope to spend 2-3 hours there on my way home. See you in the summer.

Exploring Pudong

After leaving the beach I went to this water town Xincheng which is actually right in Pudong. It is different than other water towns since I didn't have to pay to get in and the shops are normal shops rather than tourist booths. It was more like a narrow laneway with Chinese shops as well as more modern shops selling clothes, computers, shoes and the posters I bought for the YW. There was also a dentist that looked like it came right out of the 1800's. I took pictures of that but they didn't really turn out. Here are a few of the others thought.

Today, I finally got to the Pacific Ocean in Shanghai. Isn't that amazing that even though Shanghai is right on the ocean it is very difficult to get to. Even when I have asked at the tourist information centres they haven't been able to tell me. They know nothing about going to the ocean. I saw a piece on tv last fall about a beach in Shanghai but got no where trying to find it. Then several weeks ago there was an article about it in a magazine so today I hired a taxi and he took me there. I've posted a few pictures. It is small and not the greatest beach but not bad. There is lots to do and it is like a beach town. I did have to pay 38 quai to get in ie about $5.

Wuzhen

The weather is beautiful now, sunny and warm, not yet to hot. That's what it was like yesterday when I went on a trip to Wuzhen, another water town. It was a pleasant day, the town like all the others. Lots of friends on the bus and probably the last such trip I will make. Here are a few pictures.

Summer's coming

Finally, a beautiful sunny day. We have had a long cold wet spring. There were a number of sunny days that fooled us into thinking the nice weather had arrived. Last spring was a pleasant warm season. Today was almost hot so I'm sure in no time at all I will be complaining about the heat. Tomorrow, Sat., I am taking a trip to another water town, Wuzhen. This will probably be my last excursion before I head off to Africa in July. I am shipping my belongings home with friends who are also returning to Canada. That's all organized. Now I just have to get rid of the belongings I don't want to keep and organize what I actually what packed, what I need to take with me in my suitcases and what needs to stay here because it doesn't belong to me. I will post again tomorrow night or on Sun. with pictures from Wuzhen.

my apartment

When I arrived in Shanghai I was so thrilled with my apartment and took pictures to show you how great it was. I've looked at those pictures recently and my apartment is so much better now. So I took new pictures to show you. I actually had problems and some pictures wouldn't upload so there are only a few here. My apartment no longer looks like this since I have already gotten rid of all my plants, given a few other things away and have gathered together things that are going to be shipped. As I prepare to return home I recall my feelings when I was preparing to come here. And although I am happy and anxious to return home there is not the excitement of coming. There is a slight sadness of leaving my friends and the city and all the money of course. And still, Doug and Mike, despite having lived in Shanghai and saying I'm going to miss it, I don't want to live in Toronto. I think it is because Pudong is almost like a suburb so I don't really live in the big city. I can just go over the river to visit it if I want to.

I missed putting this on the last post. It is the other picture of the Giant Bhudda. People go up these stairs offering prayers. Need I say I didn't. My bus drove me to the top.

Finally pics from Hong Kong

These pictures are on an island just off Sai Kung where my brother Paul and his wife lived for several years. This island has a golf club on it with a lovely clubhouse. Moira and I had lunch there and a very pleasant walk around.