Thursday, April 5, 2012

E is for Explore

If you only knew how overwhelming it is trying to condense all my many words and pictures into something coherent.  I'm trying not to make the posts too long but gracious there is a lot to say.  

E is for Explore.  
Just not too loudly, please.  

Although I was foot loose and fancy free while in China,  hubs did have some work obligations which meant I was left to wander around on my own for a couple of days.  Did I tell you they speak Chinese here?  

My first day alone I decided to take the Big Bus Tour around a portion of Shanghai.  You'll find the 'Big Bus' in most major European and Asian cities and they're a great way to get a lay of the land.  Narration is provided in multiple languages via headsets so you know what you're seeing, and you can hop on and hop off at various sites with a single ticket.   


Hubs was a little worried about me on my own that first day but I told him later that riding the bus and subway were way less dangerous than crossing the street in front of the hotel.  The traffic!  As my grandma would say, land sakes alive...there were cars and buses and bicycles crossing every which way.  Even with the walk sign flashing green meaning go you better look twice before sticking so much as your big toe out into the street.  


And let's not forget the motorcycles which are absolutely everywhere....


...including racing up from behind you on the sidewalk!  


Is it legal to drive a motorcycle on the sidewalk in Shanghai?
Not sure, but overall the traffic laws felt a little 'loose' here.


I did do a lot of walking because you can't eat Xiaolongbao for lunch everyday without trying to burn off at least a few of the calories.  Our hotel was only about four long blocks from The Shanghai Museum and I spent several hours inside this lovely building one day.


Now I need to make a small observation.  Americans.  I love you but goodness you're a loud bunch.  Not all of you of course and yes, I'm a proud American too, except when I'm in a super quiet, slightly darkened Chinese museum where Westerners are few and far between yet I can hear you talking and laughing from three stories up.  Makes me want to don my British accent and pretend we're not kin.  There is something about the American tourist that screams look at me.  I mean this in the nicest possible way of course, after all, I'm an American tourist too...its just that a group I encountered in the museum made me want to whip out my teacher voice and say 'simmer down kids'.  Only they weren't kids, they were adults.


When we lived in the UK we were advised by the higher ups, aka the Embassy peeps, to try to blend in a bit.  Not to call undue attention to ourselves.  Not to stomp all over the local customs and way of life.  It's a good piece of advice, not only from the standpoint of personal safety, but also as representatives of our own nation.  I'm not saying we shouldn't feel pride in our own country, but as visitors we should also take the time to look around and notice the local custom...be gracious 'houseguests'.  We were in an outdoor restaurant in Greece one time and as the waiter was taking our order he said 'here come the Americans'.  Sure enough, around the corner came a group of about six adults.  We asked how he knew they were American and he said you can always hear them before you see them.  That and their brand new tennis shoes but mostly its the fact that they announce their arrival.    We are an enthusiastic people and normally that's a good thing...a great thing even.  In fact it's one of my favorite things  about this country we call home, but in the hushed environment of a Chinese museum the mega-volume felt very out of place.


Okay, off my soapbox...the museum itself was a gorgeous piece of architecture.  My favorite display was the room filled with ethnic costumes from all the different regions around China.


Well,  that and the pottery of course. 
If you read here you know how I feel about pottery.  


While I'm on the subject of museums I have a fun little 'museum anecdote' to share.  The Shanghai Art Museum was just across the street from our hotel so I popped inside to browse there too. The building itself was stunning (clock tower in the foreground of the photo below)  and used to be the clubhouse for the Shanghai Race Club race course.  


It houses art now and a special exhibit was on display, the beautiful ink paintings of a well known Chinese artist named Liu Yiyuan.  Before I left the exhibit I stopped to read his bio which was posted on the wall and I snapped a picture so I'd remember his name.  As I was taking the picture a man tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around to find myself standing face to face with the artist himself.  We did a little pantomime, which you should know is my preferred method of communicating in China, and he pointed at the bio and at himself and smiled and nodded his head vigorously to be sure I understood.  And I nodded and smiled and said his work was beautiful which I think he understood because all of a sudden he puts a book in my hands.  It was a book of his paintings and he's still nodding and smiling and pointing and then he flips the book over, autographs it, and presses it into my arms.  

There were loads of people in the museum and I'm not sure why he chose to give me the book.  It may have been because I was the lone American or perhaps it was because I took an interest in his story.  When I told hubs later he said it was my red coat.   Whatever the reason it was a happy surprise and I was reminded once more why I love travel.   

24 comments:

  1. Good Morning, Joyce,
    Thank you so much for sharing the photos from your trip with us. I feel maybe I was there with you too!

    Blessings to you and yours this Easter Season. ~Natalie

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  2. Yes, we Americans do tend to be a loud, enthusiastic bunch... Especially in groups. I have had similar encounters and want to distance myself from those acting like this. I don't know what it is about us as a people that makes us think that others rules and customs don't apply to us... Ahhh well, my husband says the best thing we can do is act respectfully and make sure everyone knows we are American too, that way they won't think we are all that way. I find when you do this though, people assume you are Canadian until you tell them you are American. (Sad, but kinda funny too!)
    Please do not cut your posts short. I have always wanted to travel to China and am living vicariously through you! I am loving every bit of it!

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  3. How nice that you got a book from him. What a nice surprise! Sounds like a great trip!!

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  4. what an amazing experience. the gift of an autographed book was heart-warming. years back, hubs traveled from Bangkok to Calcutta, etc... priceless memories. such unique cultures.

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  5. Love reading about your adventures! Can't wait to hear more about them this weekend! Ah.. American tourists, we're a special breed. I think living in England seriously opened up my eyes. (I've been know to "Keep calm and fake a British accent" thought)

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  6. It is sad that yes you usually can hear us Americans before you see us. Sometimes it is nice to be a loner. I love it that you got an autographed book. That is wonderful. I am so enjoying your posts and traveling with you. And I am with the others don't cut them short! They are too rich and full of information!
    until next time... nel

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  7. I totally agree with your soapbox speech! And what a fun experience at the art museum!

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  8. Wow, you are brave! What a special treasure that autographed book is. Makes Manhattan look like the country ;)

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  9. Love this post. Soapbox and all. Sometimes I cringe to be recognized as Americans who have the reputation of being loud and rude. Your book--please show the autograph!!

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  10. Sounds like it was fun. How nice of him to give you a book. :)

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  11. Your trip sounds fascinating. The museum looks like it was wonderful. Love seeing your pictures. I did almost all my exploring last year on my own in Europe because Mark was working. I would not have survived without the Big Bus Tours!

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  12. Just finished catching up on your posts! Wow, what a trip! Maybe you should write a travel book. You know, just for starters?

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  13. Hi, the Chinese are very interesting people. I went to visit friends in Taiwan in February of 2000, when it was the Year of the Dragon, and had a wonderful time, but boy! what a culture shock that was. Thank you for your fascinating blog post today. Regards to you, Ruby

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  14. You have the best stories and you always save the best for last. What a special gift.

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  15. I am impressed that you went off to explore China without Hubs! :)

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  16. What a cool story about the artist signing and giving you that book! And as far as American tourists, it seems to me that Americans should try to learn what they can about another culture when they're visiting a foreign country rather than wasting their time being obnoxious. In a wee London hotel we stayed at, there was another couple who did nothing but very loudly complain about the room, the food, the everything. Makes you wonder why some people don't just stay home and shut the blinds.

    Great photos! My brother says that in China it is against the law to have a motor accident, so people are simply more careful not to actually cause an accident. lol

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  17. What a great post! Agree with you about your soapbox rant. Folks like that just suck the air out of the room they are in.

    Easter blessings and enjoy those girlies while they are home for a brief visit.

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  18. That looks like an awesome museum! I'm trying to visit all the A-Z Challenge Blogs this month.

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  19. I'm stopping by to "catch up" I just read all of your A-Z posts, so far, and have enjoyed reading about your travels. How brave you are to strike out on your own :)

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  20. Oh my... what an HONOR! That will certainly be an amazing story to tell your children and grandchildren for years to come... sounds like an amazing trip - LOVE hearing about it! And I'm right with you on the whole American tourist thing...even though I've not traveled much outside the US, I see how we behave in our OWN country and am appalled... seriously... get a grip.

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  21. I don't think it was your red coat, I think it was you! No matter where you go in this word (and you seem to go a lot) you find more adventure than the average person could hope to.

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  22. That's such a great adventure. And I know about the whole American tourist thing. Sometimes I don't know why they haven't expelled us from places as such. smh. :) Anywhoodles, I love that last story. He must have seen something very special in you to give you his book! That is amazing. You have the coolest adventures ever!

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  23. Exploring a city is the best part of traveling and your chance meeting the artist is such a great story...something tells me you have lots of those. Happy Easter to you and your family!

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  24. Nice post. Since you love to travel, you might like my travel bucket list. Travel Bucket List

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