 |
| Lake at the Shanghai Zoo |
Having finished teaching my classes, we have had several days to play and explore. What is particularly lovely, since this is our second time here, is that we have had time to visit places and areas a bit less 'touristy' and have some lovely interactions with people (usually through my cell phone translation app). We are getting around easily on the subway system, it is cheap (usually rides cost between 40-60 cents to go almost anywhere), frequent, fast, clean and only occasionally crowded. I continue to love discovering new neighborhoods and noticing the daily rhythms and task as people go about their lives.
 |
| Family with daughter and swans |
One day we visit the Shanghai Zoo: While Bruce had visited the zoo last year, when I was teaching- we both went this time. The Shanghai Zoo is large and beautifully landscaped. The day we went, it was filled with kids with parents and/or grandparents in tow. Lots of photos taken with the ubiquitous cell phone (people watch movies at train stations, play candy land on the subway and communicate with friends through We Chat -
constantly.) Following circuitous paths, we moved from open air exhibits filled with exotic animals from all continents- including giraffes, rhinos and all sizes of bears (except polar bears). I don't think I have seen such a range of colorful parrots or goldfish with lumpy heads, or puffy bodies.
 |
| Bruce and flamingos |
We also got to observe parents flapping jackets (usually red ones) at peacocks to get them to open their tail feathers, as the birds stood, responding to this behavior with aloof boredom. Many other animals were laying lethargically in the damp heat of the late morning. But occasionally one might be prowling around, and growling in response to someone tapping on the protective glass that separated two-leggeds from four-leggeds. We, along with many other Chinese people, visited the 'Giant Pandas' who were lying down in a cooler part of their enclosure, eating bamboo shoots with their feet. We watched grandparents holding up small children, pointing and taking lots of photos. It was fun observing the families interact, with multiple adults delighting and attending to the children's every need. See Bruce's post for more details)
 |
| Giant Panda and little boy |
While, I know there can be lots of controversy about caging animals in places like zoos. This zoo seemed to be set up more humanely. As with all other parks we have seen, the landscaping was filled with plants of many different types of leaves, textures and colors surrounding lakes with uniquely shaped boulders and an occasionally placed pavilion. There were also lots of educational signage both about the animals and environmental issues and concerns.
 |
| Outside the women's prayer area- Huxi mosque |
 |
| In front of the men's prayer area- Huxi mosque |
Later we made our way to the Huxi Mosque, located near the M 50 Arts area. It is a lovely and reassuring feeling to be walking down a street, filled with vehicles, buildings, road repairs and pedestrians and then see the beautiful curves of a minaret (where the call to prayer is issued) or a dome/quabba, suddenly visible among surrounding buildings. The Huxi Mosque is no exception. Sighting several large golden domes. I paused to put on a head scarf and button the top buttons of my long sleeved shirt. (Visiting a different mosque last year, several Uighar women let me know that I wasa not dressed properly because my shirt did not completely cover my wrists or neck. This year I was better prepared). We entered a quiet courtyard and were warmly greeted with friendly Asalaam Alaikums, and app-assisted questions about where we were from (America) and if we were Muslim (no). I made my way upstairs, and explored looking for the women's prayer area, inadvertently waking two women who were sleeping through a long day of Ramadan fasting. They called the Iman, who welcomed me as well. They then proudly explained that the beautiful greenery enclosing a yellow flowered quotation had only recently been finished, in honor of Ramadan. Downstairs, Bruce explored a bit and we continued to be welcomed and greeted by men getting ready for the afternoon prayer. It was a lovely hospitable welcome, and while we probably won't have time to return again this visit... In Shallah.. we will in the future.
 |
| Pudong and Grandmother with Grandson |
Finally, we made our way to the Bund. Despite the overcast day, it was filled with families, tour groups of students in uniforms, and teens taking photos (of course). We even had a lovely English conversation with a Chinese man (and his bored girlfriend) who was visiting Shanghai for the first time. The view, despite the haze was impressive, boats traversing the river, tall abstract buildings. It also seems to the place to bring your family, date, friends or just put on sneakers and do your daily run along the river. And one of the few places with lots of foreigners.
I end this post with a selfie of two sweeties having a Bund date... perhaps they look familiar???
 |
| Two Cuties with Pudong in the background |
Comments
Post a Comment