This morning it was two things that it hasn't been for a good while in Shanghai:
- fairly warm (60 degrees or so)
- sunny (FINALLY! YAY! YIPPEE!)
So as early as possible (about 9:30 a.m.), we packed up Tully, a ball, some treats, and other bits and pieces and headed to our favorite park in Shanghai: Zhongshan Park. Zhongshan Park is special for two important reasons:
- You are allowed to play on the grass. (You are not in most parks here. Cops chase you off as soon as your big toe touches the first blade.)
- There are NO bicycles or motorbikes allowed in the park so you don't have to be afraid of being run over.
Now if you've never been to a park in China, you might not know that parks are used for all kinds of recreational activities...not just hanging out in the grass or playing frisbee or taking a walk. In every park (well, every park I've been in) folks are dancing to music played on a CD player, doing tai chi, playing mah jong, singing with a microphone and speakers (um, rather loudly), playing cards, walking backwards, flying kites, and all kinds of other fun things. It's great.
But instead of telling you about it, take a look for yourself. I'm going to go take a nap.
These are the rules for visitors, posted at the entrance in English as well as in Chinese. Take special note of Rule #2, which states "Ethic and moral codes should be duly honored. Visitors are expected not to urinate or shit, post ads or posters, and write or carve around in the park..." (So noted. Today no one in our party urinated or shit in the park.)
This guy is writing Chinese characters in water with that long-handled brush.Cool, huh? Not sure what it says, but the writing is beautiful.
Doing tai chi with one stick on your head is impressive...
Doing tai chi with TWO sticks on your head is amazing.
The knitting group examines a shawl.
Knitting on a rock in the sunshine. What could be better?
"Let's go fly a kite...up to the highest height..."
The rather cranky kite salesman. (Guess selling them just isn't as much fun as flying them.)
The Popcorn Man...makes it & sells it right there.
Like most kids in Shanghai, Tully loves Haibao (the mascot for the 2010 World Expo, opening here in Shanghai on May 1).
Sweet Tully relaxing on a rock.
THE END
Central Park was much that way when we went there. Actually Anderson River Park near my home is a lot like that. We were there Saturday for Family Fun Day and there were a couple of soccer games, several B-day parties, live Mexican hat dance performers, a fishing demonstration, several musicians and display booths. It was a pretty full day. It's not usually that busy. I think folks were just so happy to be out in the sun. No shitting either.
Oh, the guy who was lettering in water was writing, "I'm lettering in water so read fast." :)
Cheers,
Casey
Posted by: Casey Freeland | April 27, 2010 at 12:27 AM
Oh THAT'S what he was writing! :)
Posted by: Kristin Bair O'Keeffe | April 27, 2010 at 02:25 AM
Thanks so much for sharing. I really enjoy catching glimpses of Chinese culture through your lense & hand. (But most enjoy seeing pics of Tully & you.)
Thank God for the rules of ethical conduct. Kind of cut down on your begging for the day, too.
:o)
Posted by: Amy U | May 06, 2010 at 09:24 PM