Looking to explore my artsy side, I went to painting class with Adam's co-worker, Liz. Her friend Cherry owns and runs a small art studio, teaching students of all ages and levels. This was my first time trying oil painting, so I was a bit nervous! Cherry had all the tools and materials prepared and carefully walked me through the basics. Here, I am working on the base colours. After the first layer dries, I can finish the painting the following week.
We often pass by the Shanghai Exhibition Center when we are in a taxi along the elevated highway. The spire rises above the highway and each time I strain to get a glimpse of the building. It's pretty from the outside. We thought it would be fun to check out an event there and see the inside of the building. I heard there would be foreign language books, but we would go regardless, just for the experience.
We were welcomed by bright red balloons and banners. We were also welcomed by a bunch of ticket scalpers. There was no line-up at the ticket booth, so I don't know why I would have bought the admission ticket for the same price from those dudes.
The fair was busy, but not packed (considering it was Sunday). The noise was a bit overwhelming: a person performing on the piano at the music books section competed with the mechanical voice of a English-learning software program, mixed in with all the people telling you that the merchandise was on sale. We (unintentionally) ended up with a collection of books related to Chinese culture. We also found an awesome map of China.
Wandering through the building, we found the interior to be quite sad. The paint was peeling and the lights were dirty in some places, but the central atrium was quite grand and opened into the main hall that was framed by arches lined with lightbulbs, in an art deco non-tacky way. It's an interesting building in need of some repair. No major event in Shanghai is complete without a plug for the World Expo and we found a display of old Expo postcards, a replica of the China pavilion and a couple of Haibaos. Maybe next time, we'll check out the International Convention Center over in Pudong for comparison.
Adam and I went for a treat - brunch at one of the fancy restaurants along the Bund. The brunch itself was okay, but it's the view that entices people to go. New Heights is on the 7th floor of Three on the Bund. We walked around the outside patio afterwards and took in the sights.
(top) Adam surveys the re-construction of the promenade along the Bund for the World Expo.
(bottom) The Pearl Tower and the rest of Pudong is just across the way.
I've told a few people that I found Lay's potato chips in China to be less tasty than in North America. The comparison was between the "classic" yellow bag that is the plain salted kind. My theory is that potatoes in China are a different variety, hence a different and slightly inferior product in my opinion. However, I know everyone and every potato deserves a second chance, so I gave the Sichuan Spicy Flavor a go. It was tres tasty! Good job! I enjoyed this particular flavor of potato chip, but I secretly still think that the potatoes are different and in this case it doesn't matter because the flavoring covers it up.
It was a blisteringly hot day, so Mom and I decided to check out a museum. I'm partial to modern art museums, so I suggested MOCA Shanghai. The museum is located inside People's Park, nestled in trees and right by the water lily pond. We entered the building through large glass doors, into an airy atrium where a walkway swooped up to the second floor. I read that the museum was formerly a greenhouse and the designers wanted to maintain the glass facades...only I don't think they figured out how to ventilate the place so that it would not feel like a greenhouse inside. We tried to give each exhibit our full attention, but we quickly ended up at the cafe/restaurant, where we used our ticket stubs for a discount on otherwise overpriced iced drinks to cool off.
We both reflected on how poorly some of the installations had been implemented (video rooms that were not properly soundproofed or dark enough, general lack of cohesion or impressiveness), but then read in the pamphlet that the museum is independently run, i.e. not government funded. My guess is that China doesn't have an established network or structure for fundraising in the modern arts, so for now it looks like MOCA Shanghai will be at a bit of a disadvantage as compared to the more famous Shangahi Art Museum.
I did enjoy one particular installation at the museum (pictured above): a miniature metropolis made of recycled rusty metal scraps. Makes one think of urban decay.
We're in HK for the Dragonboat Festival long weekend and what trip to HK can be complete without a visit to a 茶餐厅 (HK-style cafe)? If Adam could have his way, he'd have a daily dose of yeen yeung 鸳鸯
(half milk tea, half coffee)
and nai yau doh 奶油多 (condensed milk on toast)! We went to a random one this time. The food wasn't particularly good, but look at the menu! The cafe takes pride in the following famous 招牌 items, from left to right:
豆浆 (soy milk)
油条 (plain donut stick)
松糕 (sponge cake)
粽子 (rice dumpling)
肠粉 (rice flour crepe)
油炸鬼 (sweet donut)
煎堆 (sesame ball)
Haha, too cute!
This was actually not the first trip to IKEA in Shanghai. Adam had ventured there before, hence his confident pose outside the store this time. Between shipping some of our own stuff from Vancouver and the furniture in our partially-furnished apartment, we are only one item away from completeness. We did the unthinkable and went to IKEA on a Saturday afternoon. Yes, it was packed. Yes, there are Swedish meatballs (and also Chinese food too). No, we did not buy anything. There's not much to say about IKEA in Shanghai, except that the restaurant is HUGE (in proportion to the rest of the store). I went back another day in the afternoon and noticed that it is a popular hangout for young and old.
Notice the guy in the picture, behind Adam. He's handing out furniture catalogs for another store - pretty clever.
Note: Observations on IKEA in China in the LA Times -
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fi-china-ikea25-2009aug25,0,5131176.story?track=ntothtm
This is a major problem for men in China, the wearing of white socks with dark suits and shoes.
According to my coworker, the government has actually issued some kind of directive discouraging the practice, but we'll see ...
Feeling more at ease, the second class seemed to be easier. I completed the details and layered on more shades of colour - tada! For those who are interested, check out Cherry's blog for information on her classes:
Looking to explore my artsy side, I went to painting class with Adam's co-worker, Liz. Her friend Cherry owns and runs a small art studio, teaching students of all ages and levels. This was my first time trying oil painting, so I was a bit nervous! Cherry had all the tools and materials prepared and carefully walked me through the basics. Here, I am working on the base colours. After the first layer dries, I can finish the painting the following week.
Adam and I went for a treat - brunch at one of the fancy restaurants along the Bund. The brunch itself was okay, but it's the view that entices people to go. New Heights is on the 7th floor of Three on the Bund. We walked around the outside patio afterwards and took in the sights.
It was a blisteringly hot day, so Mom and I decided to check out a museum. I'm partial to modern art museums, so I suggested MOCA Shanghai. The museum is located inside People's Park, nestled in trees and right by the water lily pond. We entered the building through large glass doors, into an airy atrium where a walkway swooped up to the second floor. I read that the museum was formerly a greenhouse and the designers wanted to maintain the glass facades...only I don't think they figured out how to ventilate the place so that it would not feel like a greenhouse inside. We tried to give each exhibit our full attention, but we quickly ended up at the cafe/restaurant, where we used our ticket stubs for a discount on otherwise overpriced iced drinks to cool off.
We're in HK for the Dragonboat Festival long weekend and what trip to HK can be complete without a visit to a 茶餐厅 (HK-style cafe)? If Adam could have his way, he'd have a daily dose of yeen yeung 鸳鸯 (half milk tea, half coffee) and nai yau doh 奶油多 (condensed milk on toast)! We went to a random one this time. The food wasn't particularly good, but look at the menu! The cafe takes pride in the following famous 招牌 items, from left to right:
This was actually not the first trip to IKEA in Shanghai. Adam had ventured there before, hence his confident pose outside the store this time. Between shipping some of our own stuff from Vancouver and the furniture in our partially-furnished apartment, we are only one item away from completeness. We did the unthinkable and went to IKEA on a Saturday afternoon. Yes, it was packed. Yes, there are Swedish meatballs (and also Chinese food too). No, we did not buy anything. There's not much to say about IKEA in Shanghai, except that the restaurant is HUGE (in proportion to the rest of the store). I went back another day in the afternoon and noticed that it is a popular hangout for young and old.
