Exploring the New and Old of Shanghai

(SHANGHAI, China) - Thanks for the reply re: the pic availability. It so happens the Chinese govenment blocks internet social networking sites, including myspace. So, it may be best to keep whatever setup you have, and us folks in China will just have to live with that fact. I dont know what changes you could make that would help, but you are certainly welcome to try.

The impressions of China are endless. In Shanghai, there are many districts of 19th and early 20th century architecture that have been preserved, although much has been torn down in recent years to make way for freeways and skyscrapers, among other things.

For example, the Bund used to be embassies of the western powers soon after China was opened up, so to speak, but the buildings have been renovated and serve other purposes. However, in contrast, right across the river, are startling examples of seemingly futuristic styles that defy the traditional "shoebox" office building common in the US. Unfortunately the day I visited the Bund was exceptionally smoggy, and as a result my pics don't do it much justice.

Thanks for the reply re: the pic availability. It so happens the Chinese govenment blocks internet social networking sites, including myspace. So, it may be best to keep whatever setup you have, and us folks in China will just have to live with that fact. I dont know what changes you could make that would help, but you are certainly welcome to try. As for impressions, well there are many districts of 19th and early 20th century architechture that have been preserved, although much has been torn down in recent years to make way for freeways and skyscrapers, among other things. For example, the Bund used to be embassies of the western powers soon after China was opened up, so to speak, but the buildings have been renovated and serve other purposes. However, in contrast right across the river, are startling examples of seemingly futuristic styles that defy the traditional "shoebox" office building common in the US. Unfortunately the day I visited the Bund was exceptionally smoggy, and as a result my pics dont do it much justice.

I also visited Nanjing Road that day. I am not familiar with its history at this poiint, but it is an incredibly long street repaved with concrete blocks and lined with 19th century buildings festooned with all manner of neon and advertising.

Chairman Mao, I imagine, would be rolling over in his grave if he could see now how much China's ecomony is part of the Western capitalistic economic system. I went along with Wei Wong, another woman I had made arrangements to see here in Shanghai, to a movie Sunday.

On the way, we passed many stores that would not look much out of place along NE Broadway in Portland. The theater itself is in a gigantic mall that has everything from at least one grocery store on the lower level, to high-end stores selling merchandise that would be found in any world-class store on the others.

I spent some time on the movie theater level, and one of shots I included was looking down an ornate stairwell. If you look on one side, you can see how a person relates to that.

Regular shop styles along a street vary from hole-in-the wall mom and pop operations of different levels of sophistication to multi-national outlets.

At times modern Asian interior decor borders on what I would call "ultra-modern garishness". That style is common in Manila; as for other rapidly developing nations in Asia, Im not sure but would be surprised if similar examples were not as widespread.

Traffic is chaotic, as I mentioned before. At some major intersections, ladies in khaki military-style uniforms regularly admonish pedestrians who will not wait on the curb or attempt to jaywalk.

Other women with brightly-colored hand-held flags are also stationed at particularly busy intersections, often in conjunction with the uniformed personnel.

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Gerry Villani has been a resident of Salem, Oregon since 1964, and he has watched the capitol city grow and change significantly over the years. After graduating from Mount Hood Community College in Oregon with an AA in journalism, Gerry traveled the world as a photojournalist for the U.S. government from 1974-1986, then worked for state government and then put his communication skills to work for companies in Salem, Tualatin, and Beaverton before joining Salem-News.com.

Among other accomplishments, Gerry has taken thousands of photographs and is developing a photo stock company that will be marketed through Salem-News.com. Gerry's skills in technology are ever increasing, and he holds a Certificate in Computer Operations from Chemeketa Community College which he earned in 1986. To learn more about Gerry's photography, visit his site villaniphoto.com or email Gerry at villaniphoto@yahoo.com