Shanghai+Weekend

Sunday morning here in Shanghai; just back from seeing all the kids at The Big Bamboo, a nearby sports bar. We all gathered to watch the Bruins game and ended up among a huge crowd of Vancouver fans. We had a great time; just disappointed in the outcome. Recently added [|Shutterfly photos] include some of my travels in Shanghai yesterday, plus our kids and their hosts at the game this morning (with some crazy Canadians tossed in as well).

The weekend so far has been full of adventures for everyone, it seems. The kids and their hosts are getting along very well. So far, some have gone off on their own unique destinations, but often the whole group has been out together. On Saturday, most of the kids made an outing to the Bund, the area of Shanghai on the Huangpu River where the European buildings of concession-era Shanghai hug one side of the river and an amazing array of skyscrapers rise up on the opposite bank. Some also visited local shopping areas or went to the movies. After the game on Sunday morning, the whole troop—American visitors and Chinese hosts—were off for another round of shopping in the city (or at least browsing).  Ms. Lee and I have done our own exploring. Shanghai is sprinkled with dozens of parks, large and small. Some have been peaceful and nearly empty; others serve as gathering spots for young and old. Lots of people gather in groups of eight or twelve and play cards through the afternoon. The Bund was vibrant on Friday evening, less full but still bustling on a gray and misty Saturday afternoon. The rain dampened the energy of the outdoor "antiques" market on Dongtai Road, but if you're looking for old Mao-era posters of statuettes or other mementos, this is the place to go. On Sunday, we visited the former home of Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-Sen, whose ideas and organizational abilities helped bring an end to the Qing Dynasty and gave birth to modern China. The area around Sun's home still reflects the grandeur of concession-era Shanghai, with grand European-style buildings and beautiful tree-lined streets. Many of these elegant buildings have sub-divided for apartments; others have become businesses or hotels; some are government buildings or museums. The Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum occupies one of these gorgeous sites. With Monday being a holiday (the Dragon Boat Festival), the kids will have an extra day with their host families before heading back to school this evening. Ms. Lee and I will be joining a few WeiYu School teachers for an early dinner tonight; I'll see the kids at school when they arrive so I can retrieve the pandaphones from those who have them; and tomorrow we'll have a few activities at the school before we head home. It's been an amazing trip. I expect the kids will have much to add about their adventures when I see them again.