Rain, rain, go away, Hey, at least it's not snow!

Hello on our first full day in Shanghai!  (BTW, did you know you can click on the photos and they will get larger?)

We'll begin with just a bit of what YOU need to know about where we are.  After all, how can you follow us if we don't lead a bit and tell you what we're learning?

Shanghai literally means the city by the sea and is situated on the west shore of the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered on the north and west by Jiangsu Province , on the south by Zhejiang Province, and on the east by the East China Sea. Right in the middle of China's east coastline, Shanghai is an excellent sea and river port, boasting easy access to the vast hinterland.

The city is divided into two parts by the Huangpu River: Puxi (west of the Huangpu River) and Pudong (east of the Huangpu River). Puxi is the older part of the city and hosts the majority of shops, restaurants and museums. (This is where we are staying).  Pudong is the modern part, and is recognized for its rather unusual yet extremely impressive high-rises such as Shanghai's tallest buildings, the Shanghai International Financial Center, Jinmao Building and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.  Most all the pictures you see of Shanghai are taken of the Pudong side of the river, but the Puxi side is beautiful too – full of fascinating French, British, Indian, US and Chinese architecture and, of course, international influence.

Due to constant inflow of people from other parts of the country, the size of population in Shanghai keeps growing. Before Shanghai was liberated in 1949, it only had a population of 5.2 million. According to the Shanghai Statistics Bureau, Shanghai's population of residents with permanent residence registration had grown to 24.15 million.  Geez, that’s a bit larger than Sioux Falls, isn’t it?

Our day began with lunch high atop the hotel in their breakfast room - and the view was, well, of rain.  Looks like it might rain most of the day!  Assorted "western" dishes were available as well as Chinese delicacies, lots of veggies, fruit and breads.  (Don't forget the famous Shanghai Dumplings!)

Food vessel created in Zhou Dynasty - 11th cent BC

The entire crew reported that they slept very well and that they were ready for the day.  It was to be a busy one, so we departed sharply at 9 a.m.  First stop, the amazing Shanghai Museum.  

Located in the center of Shanghai in People's Square, Shanghai Museum is a large museum of ancient Chinese art. Its style and presentation surround visitors with artifacts demonstrating ancient wisdom and philosophy. The exterior design of the round dome and the square base symbolizes the ancient idea of a round heaven and a square land.

The museum is divided into eleven galleries and three exhibition halls. The

Note detailed animals in this water holder - 13th Cent BC

eleven galleries cover most of the major categories of Chinese art: Ancient Bronze, Ancient Ceramics, Paintings, Calligraphy, Ancient Sculpture, Ancient Jade, Coins, Ming and Qing Furniture, Seals, and Minority Nationalities.

The bronze ware of the Shang and Zhou dynasties contribute to our understanding of ancient civilization. The over 400 pieces of exquisite bronze wares cover the history of ancient Chinese bronze art.  Much of it dates from the 17th century BC.  Please note, that is BC.  Amazing.

The ancient ceramics collection is a special Shanghai Museum treasure. Among the more than 500 pieces are artwork from various dynasties, such as painted and gray pottery from the Neolithic age, primitive celadon from the Shang, Zhou and Warring States, mature celadon from the East Han Dynasty, the well known tri-colored glazed pottery from the Tang Dynasty, blue, white and black glazed as well as painted porcelain from the Song, Jin and Liao, and the brilliant works from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, the center of the industry during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.  You think dynasties are confusing?  We do too.  Some span hundreds of years - others just a few.  China has long and complicated history!

In addition to the above, there are galleries on Chinese money (they were the first to use coins for trade), Ancient furniture, jade, laquer work, calligraphy and paintings.  Two hours doesn't do the museum justice, but that's what we were able to allow.

Learning the PUPA process!

Off we went to a very nice silk store that showed us how silkworms produce silk and how Chinese turn that silk into beautiful duvets, pillows, quilt covers, shirts, ties, dresses....well you can imagine.  Although they were not expected to do so, many of our students left that stop with a bag or two of new-found treasures.

By the way, we met our first "street vendor" on the way through the parking lot.  And yes, one of us succombed.  Perhaps we'll get a shot of him later with his new hat....(that narrows it down, right?) but for now, you get a photo of the wonderful Chinese woman who shared her gifts with us!

 (Yes, she was selling panda hats.  We'll see many more in Beijing!)

And then we had lunch! We enter

a restaurant and take over five tables of ten each.  Then the fun begins as the lay susan begins to twirl...

After lunch, a visit to the Old Town area of Shanghai.  We parked underground which was nice...but then walked about 10 blocks in the rain to the shopping and sightseeing area.  Walking past fields (?) of Bamboo in the park, our guide FeiFei explained what the many uses of bamboo are and how they use it for scaffolding when building high rises,  I've seen it - it's true!

Tonight, dinner followed by the Acrobatic Show!   I'll post photos of that in the morning.  It's been a FULL and FABULOUS first day in China!