Not doing as well today as hoped. I was going to work from home today, and ended up falling asleep from almost noon to 4:30 - that is night in Asia. I can't let myself go near the bed or a comfortable chair for awhile now. Anyway, below are pictures from my second day in Shanghai. I started the day by hiring a private tour guide. He was OK, but again, by the end of the day, I realized the sites were somewhat oriented to what the government and his company wanted me to see. Will explain more later. These first shots of of an area of Shanghai call The Bund. Basically, it is a very wide pedestrian walkway along the riverfront. These pictures really don't capture the effect, scope, or impact of seeing it. Shanghai is a very large city, larger than New York. The modern buildings across the river from where I was standing are called New Shanghai. I was standing on the Old Shanghai side. This group of spectacular tall buildings is only one area of skyscrapers in Shanghai - there are so many more, just as interesting, but it is hard to take pictures from moving vehicles! The building in the first picture is the Oriental Pearl tower. The building with the hole in the top was going to be the tallest building in the world when finished, but Dubai is going to top this one in the future. You can go to the top of these buildings for the view, but I was on the 43rd floor of my hotel and could only see several blocks this morning, so I decided not to waste time going up - you can see the haze in these pictures. Ships of commerce are going up and down the river all the time.  
 
These pictures are of the Old Shanghai side. Old Shanghai was divided into several Concessions, These came about from the Opium wars and other historical events I can't remember now (my guide shared the history with me). The concessions almost acted as independent states. Criminals could move from one to the other to avoid being caught. My guide said Shanghai was known as a good place for "adventurers" - I think he meant great place for criminals to work and hide out! Anyway, these buildings are part of the British Concession. 
 
 
Statue of first mayor of Shanghai. 
The next area we went to was the old French Concession. It has been turned into fashionable shopping, dining, and living area.  
 
 
 
I asked the guide to take me to a Chinese Arts and Crafts museum I had read about. This is where I began to realize there was some misunderstand between what I wanted and was paying for - a private tour to take me where I wanted to go - and his interests. It is amazing how the language difference can be expoited to feign lack of understanding. I had the address, phone number and hours where I wanted to go in English and Chinese. My address was 7 Fenyang road. When we arrived at this location I noticed number 143 on the building. Nevertheless, this was a pretty outstanding museum - only thing was, I think everything was for sale. Also, this place focused on stone arts only, and I had wanted to see many more - Calligraphy, needle arts, etc. Entrance to the museum/store. These lions are in many places and have special significance which I can't recall right now! One is male the other female - males on the left, females on the right. 
You walk in and are greeted by this six or seven foot tall solid carved jade ship. It was just breath-taking.   
This is a picture made from jade and other semi-precious stones. 
Stunning workmanship on these vessels.   
This mythical animal has great significance to the Chinese - the Pixiu. It is half dragon and half pheonix. It can eat and eats and absorbs things (especially money), but cannot excrete - so it doesn't let he money, etc get away. My guide pulled a small keychain sized one out of his pocket that he carries for good luck. He said he lets no one else touch it. 
The white vessel on the right is an incredibly carved white jade incense burner.  
Smaller carved jade ship. 
Carved jade cabbage.  
 
This vase is taller than me.  Happy Buddha statue - they rub his stomach for good luck. The Chinese are big into rubbing stones for good luck, longevity, and prosperity, etc.  
Next we went to the tea ceremony. I did not ask to go here, but he took me anyway. I am actually glad I experienced it. This was a very large tea house. Families will come as a group to the tea house for the ceremony for special occasions. It was extremely elaborate and detailed although not formal (dress-wise) in my case. The red panel was at the entrance - special significance, but didn't exactly understand what. 
The tea ceremony setup. She had me try maybe seven or eight varities of tea which are in those small containers at the left. Much emphasis on relaxation and the health benefits of the various types of tea. Right hand picture - tea ceremony girl with her giant pot of hot water.  
She puts out small containers of sweets - candied fruits (peaches, mini-oranges, and two types of plums plus small cookies). You almost use them as palate cleansers between the different cups of tea. 
Her brewing of the tea was quite an elaborate procedure. Lots of pouring water over the containers to preheat them. Special containers and brewing method for various types, etc.   These are the little tiny cups you drink from. You are supposed to finish your tea sample in three sips. First sip is for Good luck, 2nd for happiness, and third for longevity. The tea is poured into the taller cup you see below and covered with the drinking cup. Then you pick up both and quickly flip it over and drink from the drinking cup. You are not supposed to spill any. As simple as that sounds, I did let some tea leak out! 
Ladies and men have a different way to hold the tea cup. Below is how the ladies hold it. Hold with your thumb and first finger, put your middle finger under the cup, and stick out your last two fingers (to be more graceful and feminine!). Looks easy, but was a little harder than I thought after years of grasping mugs. 
Some of the containers of tea, and an interesting tea cup that changes color depending on the temperature of the liquid inside. Helps you to know when the tea is the right temperature.  
After the ceremony was over.  
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