Message from hpenrod

[Anonymous]

July 8th Last Day in China.

This was our last day in China. We visited the World Expo Center in the morning. In front of the building was a mascot which looked like Gumby, but instead of green was blue with a Bob's Big Boy twirl of the hair. Inside, on the first floor was a complete model of inner Shanghai city. What impressed me about the Expo Center was the forward thinking of city planning to create an eco-environment friendly atmosphere of family living with plans to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. The Expo seemed to proclaim Shanghai as the city of the future--this confidence of China into the future was seen everywhere in our travels with the Chinese people.

We visited the Yu Garden and got a sense of a grand estate. As we walked through the winding paths, we bumped, several times into workers who were removing the elaborate windows and were engaged in the tedious task of washing everything by hand. It was very labor intensive. My attention turned to the paths which were paved with tiny stones in intricate patterns and showing expert craftsmanship. As we walked through this tour of the Yu Garden, I couldn't help but to compare this place with the Huntington Library's new exhibit of their Chinese gardens, which seems so similar such as the rock formations around the koi pond, and overall artistic splendour, but the Yu Garden is much more compact (and Anna suggested, more maze-like) and had the air of something much more ancient than the Hungtinton. It was pleasant, picturesque and beautiful.

After the tour of the Yu Garden, we had free time before dinner. I went to a department store suggested by our tour guide Allen. I bought a jade pendant--a simple barrel shape with a hole through it for a chain. Venus picked it out--she has such good taste in jewelry. I bargained it down from 280 to 210 Yuan, (I thought I made a good bargain, but from what I understand Catherine is amazing in the wheeling/dealing bargaining in China), and at purchase, I watched the saleslady string the jade barrel through a red string, expertly tieing the string and burning the ends to make it an unending circle.

I had heard from others that many of the gals in our group went bargain shopping for fake designer purses, and Anna and others went to this shop with a revolving wall to reveal and hide these fake treasures, and some really made great deals. I wish I had been able to be granted access to the revolving wall as well.

At dinner, (I saw a picture of the Presidential Bush and First Lady at this restaurant--no?), we enjoyed many delectable dishes of food, sweet and sour fish, and the last night of the overflowing lazy susan, and had a group discussion on what surprised us in China. Judy commented on the bathrooms (a favorite conversation topic among the female members of the group). Javier and Dennis commented on the drastic growth seen in China--the high rise buildings, construction cranes, and luxury cars. What struck me in particular is how traditional and modern are still side by side as evidenced best in a picture Richard took of our bus waiting in line after three horse drawn carts waiting to pay the bridge toll. Clay commented on China being a country of contrasts, which is certainly true: Traditional vs. Modern, Wealth and poverty, Communism and Capitalism/Consumerism, rural and city, opportunity and the lack of. The books on Shanghai that Clay and Miranda gave us that night also echoed this theme. Clay, Miranda and Venus, Thank you for the books 😀 What a wonderful and thoughtful gift.

That night, the last night in China, many people went out to savor these last moments. Jaclyn and I went to Haagan Dazs which in China is a very upscale ice cream shop. (I am sure many are laughing of my overseas ice cream addiction while reading this right now--it is my comfort food away from home--alright, at home too). In this Haagan Dazs, you are greeted at the door, and well dressed, uniformed waiters and waitresses lead you to your table and you are given a menu. I finally got my Dulce de Leche and Jaclyn had a berry concoction.

We walked back to the Ramada Hotel and a begger girl of no more than four or five years of age cried woefully begging with her cup, and pressing against us, patting us down and checking pockets for money. I felt sadness and compassion for this little girl, wanting to take money out of my purse, but not following through with this compulsion for fear that this girl or whoever was waiting in the sidelines for her would rob me. As we walked away she gave pitiful wails and cried. We both walked silently to our rooms and spent the rest of the night in silence each thinking about the plight of this little girl, sad for the condition of this person who is not reaping the rewards of this industrial revolution taking place in China and little chance to improve her lot in lfie. What a contrast to the children we saw at the Elementary school the previous day.

[Edit by="hpenrod on Jul 25, 8:04:45 AM"][/Edit]