Winter in Shanghai

I'll put this entry in context:

•  Like the palm tree above, I am from a normally mild region where the average temperature never dips below 50ºF.
•  My body runs on the hot side even in colder weather, so I am uncomfortable wearing sweaters, jackets, and wool.
• The clothing I brought to China is suited for climates in Ecuador, the Mediterranean, or Hawaii.
• I've only experienced snow after driving two hours to the mountains.

With all of that in mind, now it's time for,

You Know It's Cold When:

...it snows.

You know it's cold when...

...you can see your own breath while making toast in the kitchen.

...you have to put on a jacket and pants to make bacon and eggs.

...you open the freezer door and you get a blast of warm air.

You know it's cold when...

...you fear the cold water coming out of the faucet.

...you can hold a mug of hot tea with your bare hands.

You know it's cold when...

...the snow stays long enough to build up on bicycles.

You know it's cold when...

...people leave their windshield wipers up all night so they don't freeze on the windshield.

You know it's cold when...

...you don't sweat.

...you learn how to tie a scarf around your neck for the first time.

You know it's cold when...

...you have to wear 2 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of pants, 3-4 layers of shirts, a heavy jacket, a scarf, and a beanie for INSIDE the school -- 

and you're still cold!

Brrrrrrrrr!!!!!

The Year of the Rabbit begins February 3, 2011!

The Chinese zodiac is cyclical and here is how the order of the animals was determined:  According to legend, twelve animals quarreled over who was to head the cycle of years. 

T

The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest: Whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish.

All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back, and won the race.  The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last.

 You can read the complete story in the book, 

"The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac."

If you were born during any of these years, then you are a rabbit (pronounced "tú" in Chinese): 

1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011


Rabbits are articulate, talented, and ambitious. 

They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. 

Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. 

They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. 

Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. 

They are clever at business and being conscientious, 

never back out of a contract. 

They would make good gamblers for they have 

the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. 

However, they seldom gamble, 

as they are conservative and wise. 

They are most compatible with those born 

in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

Special thanks to Carrefour, our large and local department/grocery/clothing/electronics/restaurant/

everything store, for providing all photo opportunities of 年 兔 paraphernalia.

Endangered Species

The Giant Panda a.k.a ailuropoda melanoleuca a.k.a 熊猫 (bear cat) is what drew us to Chengdu, a city of 10 million people, 1650 km (1025 miles) and a 3-hour flight west of Shanghai.  (If you click "Chengdu" above, you will see it just below the "C" in "CHINA".)

At the Giant Panda Breeding Research Center, we seized 

an opportunity to volunteer for the day to

clear bamboo from panda sleeping areas, 

feed them apples, learn about breakthroughs in panda breeding...

 ...and to take pictures of me holding panda poop!

Also in Chengdu are several cultural and historical sites, 

like the Du Fu Thatched Cottage.

Here I am in front of a 4-story pagoda replica, 

built on top of the original pagoda site.

The interior is very spacious and on the 4th floor is a large, 

10-foot bronze bell. I couldn't turn down a dare to stand inside it.

 Strolling through the garden, one cannot resist

a "jumping picture" among a grove of bamboo.

Koi ponds and large bronze sculptures also grace this cultural site.

Sichuan province is known for it's spicy food, so we ordered Huo Guo, or Hot Pot, with half hot and half not.  You can see the red, boiling broth with several varieties of spicy oil, chili, and yummy goodness.  They say that the Huo Guo keeps you warm during the winter.

Later that weekend we ordered an

Estremamente Grande latte at Starbucks...

...and a 4-month old baby giant panda to go.

Posing with Mascots, Etc.

Mascots and silly things are everywhere!

At supermarkets,

 on the streets of Shanghai,

 in front of hotels,

 outside snack shops,

 at tall towers in Japan,

 in front of KFCs,

 outside Expo Performance Halls,

 at Netherlands Pavilions,

 inside China Pavilions,

 at Shanghai Masters events,

 Australian Rules football games,

 outside coffee shop chains,

 and at cruise terminals.

As long as someone is willing to take the picture, I'll keep posing.

干酪说!

Thanksgiving in Hangzhou

With a couple of extra days added to the Thanksgiving weekend, we decided to take the maglev to Hangzhou, a city southwest of Shanghai with a big, beautiful lake called "West Lake".

This "bullet train" can reach speeds up to 360 km/hr (223 mph), and at top speed, it feels like you are on a jet just before it lifts off the ground.  It is an incredibly smooth ride.

After finding our hotel and having a well-deserved rest, 

we took a calm boat trip on the lake to a small island called, 

"Three Pools Mirroring the Moon."

While relaxing and enjoying the temple and 

mountain views along the lake, I took out 

my sketchbook and hardly noticed the onlookers.

The next day we went to the Lingyin (Souls Retreat) 

Buddhist Temple complex at the foot of Lingyin Mountain.

The entire site has beautiful landscaping, halls, 

and stone sculptures dating back

to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) .

We ended our trip by visiting the famous Mejiawu Tea Plantation

for some Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea.

Thanks to the bullet train's speed, we're thinking of 

going back to Hangzhou to enjoy some 

mango lassi we had at a cozy Indian restaurant!