Following in Obama's Footsteps
Trip Start
Nov 10, 2009
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13
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Trip End
Nov 24, 2009
Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The town is located on a canal. The waterway was dug out by hand over 500 year ago. It was absolutely breathtaking. We walked along the canal stopping at different shops. There was a charming pet store with turtles, birds, fish, snakes, you name it. We decided these items might be a little hard to carry on a plane. After our walk we toured the rest of the town by boat. It was a beautiful view of the bridges and houses in this old fishing community.
Afterward, we headed back to Shanghai for lunch. Guess what? Another hot pot. Only this one was Shanghai style.
Our final tour of the afternoon was the Yuyuan Gardens. This was also a stop for President Obama. A wealthy corn, wheat, and bean merchant spent 18 years building the garden in honor of his parents, only to sucumb to gambling and opium. The gardens are paved with ornate stone work, complete with coy ponds, and a variety of colorful trees and flowers. There was beautiful surprise around every corner. It was very interesting to see the contrast between the ancient Chinese architechure of the gardens with the modern, futuristic skyline behind it.
Surrounding the gardens was a bazaar filled with stalls of haggling shopkeepers. It was fun shopping for friends and family. And a little for ourselves---maybe a lot.
Dinner was at the Xintiandi, a very trendy, cosmopolitan part of the city. Formerly, the old French quarter. As a matter of fact, the communist party was founded in a building around the corner from our restaurant.
Tommorrow we are headed to the Shanghai Museum, the Bund and the Jade Buddha Temple.
We are off to bed now. Good night to us. Good morning to you!
Comments
Sounds like the trip of a lifetime. What an incredible trip and sights you have seen. We have loved reading your blog and miss you all very much! Luke wants to know if you have seen Kung Fu Panda?!