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Monday, October 26, 2015

Shanghai Getaway


Sometimes your planets align.  You find yourself in magical places heretofore only imagined.  Shanghai is such a place for me.


Saturday morning in a Buddhist temple--chubby cheeks aplenty!!  Little did we know that in a kingdom far far away called Maryland, 



this little dumpling touting her own award-winning cheeks had landed!!!  Welcome, Caroline Rae Myers!  You make an even dozen!!


And you'll have an instant wardrobe FOREVER!!


 This amazing crew was polishing this large jade rock inside the  grounds of Jing an Temple.  Who knows how long countless people have worked to make this indentation--all the while bringing glorious luck to loved ones!  


 El travelino compadres--Kathy and John



 Somewhere in the temple fun, Paco's phone got heisted from his unzipped cargo pants pocket.  We should have rubbed the rock harder!!  I think he probably stood out in his Don Ho shirt.




 The Qi (stay tuned for an entire post devoted to Qi!!! -- pronounced chee) of this Dunkin' Donuts is in balance as evidenced by the group practicing outside and the donuts extraordinaire on the inside!!!!  


 John is going to be so ticked when he finds me on the other side of his picture taking a mirror image shot with him in it!



Some Chinese children are show-stopping gorgeous.


Star-crossed lovers--their tale needs to be told... 


 True story!!!  I was taking a picture of this broom lying next to the monk.  He enthusiastically hopped up and animated this broom!



Very cool minion remote control toys








Every Sunday (while you and I have been sitting in Sunday school) for who knows how long,  Chinese parents have been anxiously engaged in People's Square "selling" their sons and daughters into matrimony.



All the important specs are spelled out complete with height, date of birth, educational prowess, and the all important phone number.


  Hundreds and hundreds of expectant umbrellas--each touting the availability of marriageable Chinese young men and women--none of whom are in sight.  Sleeping?  Hiding behind the trees?  Unaware that Mom is up to this?  Perhaps in the temple rubbing that rock for their own good matrimonial luck?





This mother broom has a spinster daughter she's been trying to match for about 5 years.  Daughter says, "No need, Ma, really!"  But every Sunday morning, mother is out parked on the curb...devoted and stubborn.


Feeding the birds


I had such a haircut once too.  My older sister put Jergens lotion on it to make it shine.  Really.






 In passing... I almost didn't look sideways and would have missed them.  Close one...


We bought tickets on a hop on/hop off tour bus which was great great fun and allowed us to sit on the open-air top deck of a bus and enjoy the perfect temperature of Shanghai as well as the sights and sounds of this glorious city.  Here we are in the middle of a massive migration through a street fair--serendipitously so wonderful!!

3 comments:

Shelly said...

Shanghai looks amazing!! Who knew Chinese cities could be so diverse. Too bad about Jerry's phone! Having stuff stolen always puts a damper on things. But he's totally rockin' that shirt! And what's the significance of the umbrellas? Aren't you glad you don't have to do that. :o) And one final thought, Chinese baby cheeks are plumpalicious.

Mad Hadder said...

I think umbrellas are just light and portable and a good height for sign-reading. But then, who knows? Perhaps they have deep deep 5,000 year old significance.

Patti said...

Fabulous city! I'm sorry Jerry's phone was stolen. I had no idea about the umbrella matrimony market. It would be interesting to find out the success rate. It must work enough to make it worth the effort. Did the lotion really make your hair shine? Inquiring readers need to know! Congratulations on another sweet grandbaby with plumpalicious cheeks. Great word Shelly!

Favorite books

  • Me 'n Steve
  • Thundering Sneakers
  • James Herriott's vet books
  • The Count of Monte Cristo
  • Travels with Charley
  • A Walk in the Woods
  • Peace Like a River
  • The Egg and I
  • Mary Poppins
  • Extremly Loud Incredibly Close
  • How Green Was my Valley