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| Wow - this is a BIG city. Its population is twice the size of Chicago, but has much of the same feel. There is an emphasis on architecture. There is a Magnificent Mile equivalent along West Nanjing Road. This is a city that is all about capitalism!
Lantern Festival
We arrived on the evening of the lantern festival. This is 2 weeks after
the lunar new year - it is the first full moon of the new year.
There were lanterns everywhere and
how better to celebrate than to have fireworks! They were all over town!
This is a mile long strip of old Shanghai, with architecture from every part of
the world. This was the old "Paris of the East."
And on another day along the Bund
We learned about fresh water and salt
water pearls - how to recognize a real pearl, why they are different colors and
other such vital information!
We learned the difference between
oolong and jasmine tea, and the correct way to prepare different kinds of tea.
Getting to the Yu Yuan Garden can be
difficult! The entrance here is thronged with visitors wanting one last
chance to look at the New Year displays. The entrance to the garden is
through this square...
Then across a nine line zigzag
bridge. This bridge is zigzagged in order to confuse the evil spirits, who
are only able to travel in a straight line!
Once inside the garden it is easy to forget that you are in the middle of a huge
city!
We learned about making silk, from
egg through larvae to pupa. The pupa of the silkworm is flash boiled to
kill the worm and set the silk. Then these machines are used to unwind the
single silk thread. There are some silkworms that decide to shack up with
a sibling. These are called "twins," which is not exactly correct.
In any event, there are two silk threads on these pupa, making them more like
Anika's knotted hair than a bobbin! These cannot be unwound. Instead
they are used to make silk batting for blankets and pillows. Anika was sad
to learn of the demise of the silk worm, but soon recovered with her new blouse!
Anika's new blouse - a nice travel size that expands for use.
What a fabulous museum! They
had a hall of animals with stuffed versions of major animals by continent and
ecosystem. They had a rainforest, indoors. They had a history of
science area that captivated both kids. Tasha loved the bubble chamber,
something she has read about for years, but never actually seen. They had
I-Max, 3-D and 4-D movies.
Around Town
Anika eagerly looking forward to her day.
From Shanghai we flew west to Xi'an. |
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Aro
