And the Shanghai Expo begins..
I caught the ceremonial launch of the World Expo in Shanghai on television like any good Shanghai resident, away from the maddening crowds. It showed spectacular views of…
Shanghai
Shanghai Cops: They’re watching you
Yes, they’re everywhere. Shanghai’s finest, its hierarchy of police men and women, district security guards (协管) and traffic cops are out in full force. In fact, there are…
All animals are comrades
“All men are enemies. All animals are comrades.” – George Orwell, Animal Farm, Ch. 1 At first sight, the chicken was sleeping. Next to it, the sign screamed…
Retrospect: No longer their city
I received a text message recently I thought note worthy. It was from this old man in his 60s who was living in Hongkou, a site along Haimen Lu (海门路) I…
Portraits of Strangers #1
In thy face I see the map of honor, truth, and loyalty. – William Shakespeare, King Henry VI There’s no art To find the mind’s construction…
The Love of Kite-flying Part Two
It was a most random yet lovely sight. Spread out over a large field, with tall incinerators serving as a backdrop and passing ships along the Huangpu River…
Hello Kitty keeps his ears warm
Judging from his blue uniform with yellow reflector stripes, he was a sanitary work or the likes. We were both standing in line for some hot flat bread…
The red bag (and buying a 2-wheeler)
Shanghai is a dense enough city that getting around can be quite a breeze. The city has an ever expanding metro system which carries 3 million people each day, we’re…
Family business
Children are excellent sales people at the market. Adorable ones attract browsing customers, even if you’re just selling garlic and ginger. To call this grandmother’s place of merchandise…
How do you view China?
If I were a romantic, I’d paint a picture of China’s social and economic contrasts. A stalwart worker poised on his bicycle, a mode of transportation that once…