Five a day

A blogger and writer I respect once wrote that she started her blog by promising herself she would post five pictures a day and five captions.  She felt that just the act of actively posting leads to the act of writing.  Since I have been such a paltry blogger, I have decided to try this technique.  I’m hoping to kick-start the writing process but hoping this is a way for me to always remember those things about living in Asia that have now  become quite ordinary. 

Here we go …..

 1) The view of the Pearl Tower from Morton’s Steak House --  Friday Night

The Pearl Tower is the most ridiculous and wonderful skyline landmark.  Quite simply put -- it is gaudy and silly in its “George Jetson” design.   And yet, while it is like a woman wearing jewelry that is too big -- you have to respect it (unlike the Space Needle tower in Seattle – sorry Seattle.)  Why?  Because it is iconic.   It stands for the next generation of Shanghai.  It opened the next chapter for the city and every night it lights up to say so.  Every day it catches the light.  (Well, every day that we don’t have Shanghai “mist.”)  

2) The Fabric Market on Saturday Afternoon –  

No “jokie” prices for me.  I have several places that now know me and they give us the “family price” on the first -- or maybe second -- offer.  Some of my favorite places in the fabric market are the button sellers.   They don’t negotiate.   My advice is the best way to shop in the fabric market is with patience.  It won’t fit right the first time.  You will go back.  Bring something to copy at first.  Making a copy is easier than anything else.  Also just accept it – we all have fabric market failures.  Throw them in the back of the closet and forget about it.  One day you will clean out the closet and donate them to some poor unsuspecting soul. 

 3) Beer at Kaiba -- Wuding Lu, near Shanxi Bei Lu

Beautiful glasses and delicious worldly beers.  Food was pretty good too.   I had the lamb burger and Craig had the fish tacos.  The beers are fabulous – more Belgians than anything else but they have Trappist, Abbey, Blondes, Trippels, and Red Largers.

 4)  PJ Time

Sitting outside – PJs and all --  is very common.  I will write more on the stories I have heard about WHY people wear their PJs outside in China.  I’ve heard several versions. 

5) Yanqing Road -- West Meets East

Hipsters and the shoe repair guy are all here. The best part is it is close to my house.  It is a narrow winding street that is a microcosm of Shanghai life.