Nihau from Barbara (Until yesterday, I have been busy teaching while Bruce has been exploring and discovering many amazing things. He has also had more time to work on the blog.)
It is challenging to synthesize my impressions of Shanghai, the city is huge, complex, varied and in so many ways, I can only get glimpses of what is below the surface. Here are some random thoughts on a rainy Saturday morning:
I loved teaching my class, an Experiential Anatomy course that is required for all students wanting to become dance/movement therapists. It was a small group of students so there was more time for conversations and questions and it was an intense delight working with them. As we moved together, looked at pictures of the human body, did partner work to locate bones, muscles and other parts of the body, they helped me understand how they related to their own bodies and movement. Our conversations ranged from discussing about the relationship between 'scientific' concrete perspectives of the body (e.g. Western anatomical concepts) and spiritual views of the body (e.g. what is left when someone dies). Where or what is the relationship between Chi and the Dantien (energy and the energetic center of the body from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspectives) and the physical structures of the body. And when we danced together, there was such a sense of freedom and play- the movement was so full and symbolic and expressive. It was beautiful to watch. We also met in an huge centrally located ballet studio- with multiple studios and one where the Royal Danish Ballet rehearsed when they were in town.
Wandering around the city after class, I loved the way that people's lives dont end at the walls of their houses. Walking the same street to the studio each day, I would see the same older woman, sitting on the same chair on the sidewalk and watching life go by. Sometimes she would be eating, sometimes cutting her toe nails, sometimes talking with neighbors (in a loud high voice). A few buildings down on the second floor people brushed their teeth or washed clothing on an outside sink, or on the street level people were cutting vegetable, chicken, meat or other foods in preparation for the day.
Most likely they also worked nearby at a tiny food stall, cooking downstairs, a hand written menu and steep stairs up to a 'loft like' upper level with tables and a low ceiling. Further down the block people were setting out vegetables and amazing fruits (like logans, waxberries, mangosteens and durien as well as peaches, plums, watermelon and more), or shallow vats of fish, still flopping fresh, or smoked ducks, chicken and pork- all ready for selling as the day warmed up. Later, as I walked home, the same street would be neon-bright, filled with people and 'hawkers' from the restaurants (often located on the second floor of the same buildings) enticing people to come in and eat. Of course much of this is what I imagine they were saying, since I dont read or understand Mandarin.
Traveling around has been very easy, despite the language challenges. I am grateful for apps such as I translate so I can communicate slowly with people we meet. (e.g. I can type in what I want to say in English and it automatically translates into Mandarin, and with a quick poke at the screen, this can be reversed and then can type in Mandarin and it translates to English.) During the one day break between my classes we took the train to Suzhou, a local canal town with beautiful gardens. (We went on Monday, in part because I had the day off and also because we had heard that it is very crowded with touists on the weekends). Once we figured out where we could buy train tickets, the signs guided us to the waiting room, we followed the masses to the train and easily found our seat. The high speed train was exactly that... super fast. It took us about 25 minutes to get there (a 2.5 hour car drive) and then we wandered out to explore.
After making our way through the gauntlet of people offering maps and tours, we too a bus to the center of town. We wandered around, visited several Tao and Buddhist temples, a tiny garden comprised of beautiful 'wind stones', with paths that wove in and out, over and under these huge stones, taking us on mysterious journeys. (This was somewhat challenging since it was raining and the stones were very slippery.) We found a local family restaurant and pointed our way to lunch, saw the outside of the I.M. Pei museum (it was closed on Monday.) and then returned to the train station to make our way home. While the experience was a bit soggy, we are also appreciative of the 'kindness of strangers' who helped us with their bit of English (our Mandarin is incredibly limited). And I was as struck by the lovely nature of many of the people we interacted with as well as the beaury of the town (well in China it is a town, it is actually has a large population).
One last thought for this blog (more to come) but the weather is clearing up so its time to go and explore a bit. Not to state the obvious, China and its population is huge. Shanghai streets are always busy and there are moments when I seek out parks for a bit of quiet and space (although sometimes they are repairing or improving the park so it is dusty and noisy. Oh well!!! The Subway is cheap, fantastic and easy to use. Always alot of people. although there has only been one time when the crowd felt a bit like a sausage-making factory. People are always on their cell phones..often using WeChat, the local free app that allows more connection than China Mobile or other options. Being connected to others via phone is constant and a priority. I remember reading about programs to cure cell phone additions in China, and this makes sense to me- people walk, go down stairs, take escalators, cross the street, eat while talking on their phones. Notice in this photo of the subway, how many people are on the phone. And usually there are more than this.
One last story, this morning we were having breakfast at our hotel and two families with a few small children sat at the table next to us. Because there were so many of them, we offered the extra chairs from our table. Instead one of the dads came to eat with us. (I am assuming that chairs need to stay where they are supposed to be and people can be moved around.). Through the wonders of iTranslate, it turns out his and another family were here to go to 'Disney' for two days. The two little girls were excited, the boy infant probably was happiest with parents and eating and didnt care. AT some point the girls came over and shyly said hello, with lots of giggling. They did stay for a bit before moving to the table where Mandarin was being spoken. It was a lovely moment of connection...albeit through the cell phone..so I guess its not all bad.
OK more to follow, let us know your responses if you want. This is an amazing place to explore and learn about. Also note, some of the stories dont match the photos, some images are remembered but feel too personal to take as a photo. Also want to acknowledge the several huge world events that have been occurring- the Orlando Massacres (hard to be far away from vigils at home, its barely mentioned here), the failure of gun control in our own government..and of course..as of this morning The British vote to leave the EU. The world is a wild place right now..somehow China seems more sedate compared to the rest of the news.
It is challenging to synthesize my impressions of Shanghai, the city is huge, complex, varied and in so many ways, I can only get glimpses of what is below the surface. Here are some random thoughts on a rainy Saturday morning:
I loved teaching my class, an Experiential Anatomy course that is required for all students wanting to become dance/movement therapists. It was a small group of students so there was more time for conversations and questions and it was an intense delight working with them. As we moved together, looked at pictures of the human body, did partner work to locate bones, muscles and other parts of the body, they helped me understand how they related to their own bodies and movement. Our conversations ranged from discussing about the relationship between 'scientific' concrete perspectives of the body (e.g. Western anatomical concepts) and spiritual views of the body (e.g. what is left when someone dies). Where or what is the relationship between Chi and the Dantien (energy and the energetic center of the body from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspectives) and the physical structures of the body. And when we danced together, there was such a sense of freedom and play- the movement was so full and symbolic and expressive. It was beautiful to watch. We also met in an huge centrally located ballet studio- with multiple studios and one where the Royal Danish Ballet rehearsed when they were in town.
Wandering around the city after class, I loved the way that people's lives dont end at the walls of their houses. Walking the same street to the studio each day, I would see the same older woman, sitting on the same chair on the sidewalk and watching life go by. Sometimes she would be eating, sometimes cutting her toe nails, sometimes talking with neighbors (in a loud high voice). A few buildings down on the second floor people brushed their teeth or washed clothing on an outside sink, or on the street level people were cutting vegetable, chicken, meat or other foods in preparation for the day.
Most likely they also worked nearby at a tiny food stall, cooking downstairs, a hand written menu and steep stairs up to a 'loft like' upper level with tables and a low ceiling. Further down the block people were setting out vegetables and amazing fruits (like logans, waxberries, mangosteens and durien as well as peaches, plums, watermelon and more), or shallow vats of fish, still flopping fresh, or smoked ducks, chicken and pork- all ready for selling as the day warmed up. Later, as I walked home, the same street would be neon-bright, filled with people and 'hawkers' from the restaurants (often located on the second floor of the same buildings) enticing people to come in and eat. Of course much of this is what I imagine they were saying, since I dont read or understand Mandarin.
Traveling around has been very easy, despite the language challenges. I am grateful for apps such as I translate so I can communicate slowly with people we meet. (e.g. I can type in what I want to say in English and it automatically translates into Mandarin, and with a quick poke at the screen, this can be reversed and then can type in Mandarin and it translates to English.) During the one day break between my classes we took the train to Suzhou, a local canal town with beautiful gardens. (We went on Monday, in part because I had the day off and also because we had heard that it is very crowded with touists on the weekends). Once we figured out where we could buy train tickets, the signs guided us to the waiting room, we followed the masses to the train and easily found our seat. The high speed train was exactly that... super fast. It took us about 25 minutes to get there (a 2.5 hour car drive) and then we wandered out to explore.
After making our way through the gauntlet of people offering maps and tours, we too a bus to the center of town. We wandered around, visited several Tao and Buddhist temples, a tiny garden comprised of beautiful 'wind stones', with paths that wove in and out, over and under these huge stones, taking us on mysterious journeys. (This was somewhat challenging since it was raining and the stones were very slippery.) We found a local family restaurant and pointed our way to lunch, saw the outside of the I.M. Pei museum (it was closed on Monday.) and then returned to the train station to make our way home. While the experience was a bit soggy, we are also appreciative of the 'kindness of strangers' who helped us with their bit of English (our Mandarin is incredibly limited). And I was as struck by the lovely nature of many of the people we interacted with as well as the beaury of the town (well in China it is a town, it is actually has a large population).
One last thought for this blog (more to come) but the weather is clearing up so its time to go and explore a bit. Not to state the obvious, China and its population is huge. Shanghai streets are always busy and there are moments when I seek out parks for a bit of quiet and space (although sometimes they are repairing or improving the park so it is dusty and noisy. Oh well!!! The Subway is cheap, fantastic and easy to use. Always alot of people. although there has only been one time when the crowd felt a bit like a sausage-making factory. People are always on their cell phones..often using WeChat, the local free app that allows more connection than China Mobile or other options. Being connected to others via phone is constant and a priority. I remember reading about programs to cure cell phone additions in China, and this makes sense to me- people walk, go down stairs, take escalators, cross the street, eat while talking on their phones. Notice in this photo of the subway, how many people are on the phone. And usually there are more than this.
One last story, this morning we were having breakfast at our hotel and two families with a few small children sat at the table next to us. Because there were so many of them, we offered the extra chairs from our table. Instead one of the dads came to eat with us. (I am assuming that chairs need to stay where they are supposed to be and people can be moved around.). Through the wonders of iTranslate, it turns out his and another family were here to go to 'Disney' for two days. The two little girls were excited, the boy infant probably was happiest with parents and eating and didnt care. AT some point the girls came over and shyly said hello, with lots of giggling. They did stay for a bit before moving to the table where Mandarin was being spoken. It was a lovely moment of connection...albeit through the cell phone..so I guess its not all bad.
OK more to follow, let us know your responses if you want. This is an amazing place to explore and learn about. Also note, some of the stories dont match the photos, some images are remembered but feel too personal to take as a photo. Also want to acknowledge the several huge world events that have been occurring- the Orlando Massacres (hard to be far away from vigils at home, its barely mentioned here), the failure of gun control in our own government..and of course..as of this morning The British vote to leave the EU. The world is a wild place right now..somehow China seems more sedate compared to the rest of the news.
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