Happy Building

Dear Friends,

Do you think the building is happy or the people inside are?

Love,
Heather

Julius the Monkey

Dear Friends,

Julius the monkey made it to Sinan Mansions. While there were a variety of statues with different dress, Supermonkey was my favorite!

Love,
Heather

Dinner with Friends

Dear Friends,

It seems that having your dog join you at the table while dining out is perfectly acceptable here.

Love,
Heather

Cupoti

Dear Friends,

This is, without a doubt, my new favorite non alcoholic summer drink. When ordering this lemon green tea, you determine the amount of sugar and ice that gets added. A perfect summer treat!

Love,
Heather

Hard at Work

Dear Friends,

Stopped into the local connivence shop to get a water after a run. Luckily there were two employees "working" this morning. I didn't want to have to disturb this guy's nap.

Love,
Heather

Happiness Rake Ears

Dear Friends,

I have NO idea what they serve in this restaurant.  Any guesses?

Love,
Heather

Dumbo

Dear Friends,

I found this gem of a patio tucked away off a busy street. It was a lovely place to sit outside and sip on delicious sangria.

Love,
Heather

Evening Beauty

Dear Friends,

I have no idea what is served in this local restaurant. I do know I loved how beautiful the lanterns made it in the evening.

Love,
Heather

Yellow Pages

Dear Friends,

While visiting another Shanghai lilong, our French guide referred to the numbers printed on the walls as the "Yellow Pages". Phone numbers for electricians, plumbers, etc. can be found all over the walls throughout the allies.

Love,
Heather

Sidecar Tour

Dear Friends,

Several visitors to Shanghai have told me what a great experience they had with the Insiders. So this holiday, I roped my friend Shelly into joining me for a ride. Even with the rain sprinkles, it was an amazing two hours, riding around with our guide.

Love,
Heather

Zhou Enlai's Former Residence

Dear Friends,

I pass the house daily on my commute to work. I was interested to learn more about this historical site as it is always busy with visitors. One morning during our vacation, I had a wander in and learned a bit more about a small piece of China's history. Zhou Enlai, a former Prime Minster, worked out of this beautiful residence.

Safe Travels,
Heather

Impractical Beauty

Dear Friends,

On a recent trip to the Hongqiao Bird and Flower market, I came across these beauties. We have been working to reduce the amount of items we purchase and own. I kept trying to figure out some use for these but was unable to convince myself we needed one just yet. They will make these into lamps so there is some prospect for a future purchase.

Love,
Heather

Turtle For Sale!

Dear Friends,

Not sure where this man "caught" this turtle. This was one of many days where I wished I could speak Mandarin. I had so many questions...

Love,
Heather

Xian Tian Di

Dear Friends,

Two new metro lines have popped up around town. This stop is particularly fancy and convenient.

Love,
Heather

Russian Orthodox Church

Dear Friends,

Having traveled by this former Russian Orthodox Church, numerous times, I never paid it any attention. On a recent tour, our guide filled us in on its fascinating history.

Love,
Heather

Shared Kitchen

Dear Friends,

During our breakfast tour, we took a side trip down one of Shanghai's lilongs. Residents of these allies, do not have private kitchens or bathrooms. Each apartment has its own water pipe and a special key to turn on the tap. This particular kitchen is shared with roughly eight apartments.

Love,
Heather

Yanzhong Park

Dear Friends,

Love this green oasis in the middle of the city! It is parks like this that make my runs all the better.

Love,
Heather

Water Calligraphy

Dear Friends,

Water calligraphy is a relatively new art form, begun by college students who needed calligraphy practice but did not have money for ink. Largely around Shanghai, it is seniors doing the work. As our tour guide pointed out this keeps seniors mentally and physically active as they memorize poems and move around as they write poems. This day, the group of men standing around were have a great conversation about the content of this man's work. Wish I could understand Mandarin.

Love,
Heather

Spicy Egg Pancake

Dear Friends,

This was one of my favorite foods on the breakfast tour. This egg pancake was topped with soybean paste and spicy chilli. YUM!

Enjoy,
Heather

Baozi

Dear Friends,

These steamer baskets are full of a delightful little breakfast buns. These delicious baozi can be stuffed with numerous items, largely pork. The ones I love are stuffed with a type of steamed leafy green, tofu and sometimes mushrooms. Yum!

*This photo compliments of my colleague, Lisa.

Enjoy,
Heather

Youtiao

Dear Friends,

Yet another type of fried Chinese breakfast food. These youtiao are apparently best served warm and dipped into warm sweetened soy milk.  One bite of these was more than enough- definitely not one of my favorites!

Love,
Heather

Potstickers

Dear Friends,

This was our first stop on the Untour  Breakfast- Street Eats . These potstickers, filled with pork, looked delicious and several friends confirmed.

*My colleague Lisa shared this photo.

Enjoy!
Heather

Founders Brewing

Dear Friends,

I found a little bit of home right around the corner from our apartment. We really can get everything in Shanghai!

Love,
Heather

Denim Map

Dear Friends,

You probably cannot find this in the US. However, we stumbled upon it in The Gap last weekend.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Birthday Present

Dear Friends,

This year's birthday gift from my colleague. He is also from Michigan.  Just a little bit of "home" in our kitchen.

Love,
Heather

Flowers

Dear Friends,

The market for this upscale flower shop is clearly foreigners. The English sign gives it away.

Love,
Heather

Globalization

Dear Friends,

Old Navy has made it to Shanghai. I think I would prefer that it hadn't found its way here. Takes away some of the charm of the temple.

Love,
Heather

Mystery Man

Dear Friends,

I need to study up on Buddism. I have seen this guy around many temples but am not sure who he is. Do you know?

Love,
Heather

Stone

Dear Friends,

I was not quite clear about what was going on here until I read the sign. Apparently, if you touch the stone, it brings you good luck. I hope these four are reaping the benefits.

Love,
Heather

Budda

Dear Friends,

This was one of the happy, smiling Buddas at the temple.

Love,
Heather

Jing 'an Temple

Dear Friends,

Love this "Temple of Peace and Tranquility" right in one of the busiest parts of town.

Love,
Heather

Japanese Lanterns

Dear Friends,

These lanterns were outside of what looked to be a lovely Japanese restaurant.

Love,
Heather

Park Path

Dear Friends,

I love the paths around our small park in the middle of the city. It makes it feel quiet and secluded. This is one of my favorite places to run on the weekends.

Love,
Heather

Taking Orders...

Dear Friends,

We know it may be a difficult choice but please let us know which delicacy you would like us to bring home for you this summer.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

Shopping on the Great Wall

Dear Friends,

This man had hauled a few items up to the wall to sell. I walked away with a few more post cards I don't need. 

Love,

Heather

Great Wall Hiking

Dear Friends,

Our hike on more remote parts of the Great Wall was a bit difficult in some areas. The scenery made it all worth it.

Love,
Heather

Cyclist

Dear Friends,

Found this sculpture in the courtyard near a few cafes in the Former French Concession.

Love,
Heather

Labor Day Sunrise

Dear Friends,

Snapped this photo on my run the morning of the labor day weekend.

Love,
Heather

Lanterns

Dear Friends,

The variety of lanterns around Asia is amazing. Loved these!

Love,
Heather

Old & New

Dear Friends,

Love the contrast of old and new around town.

Love,
Heather

Metro

Dear Friends,

Everyone needs a bear on the metro.

Love,
Heather

Art Around Town

Dear Friends,

Found this piece of art as I wandered around town.

Love,
Heather

Hermes?

Dear Friends,

Thankfully, I just caught up on my Greek mythology, clearly she is Hermes reincarnated. While these shoes look fancy, I am not sure they would actually support speed.

Love,
Heather

Welcoming Committee

Dear Friends,

These decorative goats welcome customers to the mall.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

CNY Celebration

Dear Friends,

Our school had a Chinese New Year party for all our local staff. While there were many delicious things that came to our table for lunch, this was not the least bit appetizing.

Love,
Heather

Saturday Brunch

Dear Friends,

These were some of the best pancakes ever!  It was the fresh fruit and caramelized bananas that made them so delicious!

Love,
Heather

Japanese Hot Pot

Dear Friends,

We joined some of our friends out for Japanese hot pot. As you can see, much of the dinner was a giant pyramid of beef.  While the company was fantastic, not even Brad was a fan of this meal.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

New Year in the City

Dear Friends,

For the New Year holiday, all the locals head back to their hometowns. This leaves the major cities very quiet and, at times, a bit eerie. Normally this subway train would be jam packed with people at 4 pm on a week day. It was nice while it lasted.

Love,
Heather and Bradley