My husband, son and daughter spent two weeks in Shanghai on a homestay. They have been enrolled in a language program, based in Japan but with a local office in Massachusetts.
They spent two weeks in Shanghai at a reduced cost, with half paid for by the language program. They have been learning Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish, as well as other languages for the past few years.
During the homestay, they were first at a multi-lingual camp in rural China, about 2 hours from Shanghai.
Then, each of them spent a few days at an individual host's house. My daughter's host was a young lady of 20, whose English was excellent and who loved the same movies and songs (The Notebook, Apologize). They went out for Italian food one night. This family was very well off.
My family then spent a few nights in a hotel before coming home.
These are some of my daughter's photos of her stay in Shanghai. (She provided information for the captions).
This is Shanghai. This is at the first hotel they stayed at. In flowers, the words say, Beijing 2008 and the Olympic logo.
This is a large lake, called Taihu lake, in a rural area in Taihu camp 2 hours from Shanghai.
This is a buildling nearing completion at the Multilingual Youth Camp where they stayed for two days.
This is People's Square, "The Place" in downtown Shanghai. No such thing as an empty street. Ever. It is essentially the Times Square of Shanghai.
Another scene from People's Square. Most people do not own cars. There are plenty of buses.
A sightseeing trolley bus. The woman on the right is also Asian. More and more women in Asia are undergoing plastic surgery - the most popular procedure is the 'eyelid procedure.' An estimated 40 percent of female University students in Korea are undergoing this procedure. China is also succombing to the self-perception that having this procedure done makes an Asian woman more beautiful. Many others will color their hair, just like non-Asian women, to a lighter or brighter color.
Shanghai. YuYuan Garden dates back to the Ming Dynasty, in the late 1500s. It was a private garden for the Emperor and it remained private until the Japanese destroyed most of it. It was renovated and opened as a public marketplace in 1956.
YuYuan Garden in Shanghai.
YuYuan Garden marketplace area.
A busy market, where people bargain for goods. A lot of items are red and gold.
The lotus pool in YuYuan Garden.
A temple in its original condition in YuYuan Garden in Shanghai.
YuYuan Garden.
Fish in the lotus pool.
Another shot of the lotus pool.
Lotus pool and traditional building.
Outside of the YuYuan Garden is the dragon bridge.
Yao Ming in Mme. Tussaud's in Shanghai.
Elephant bushes inside the Shanghai Zoo. Notice the scale of people to decor.
The girl's room where my daughter was staying.
The entrance to the Shanghai Zoo.
The Chinese water Dragon, a lizard at the zoo.
Feeding a 3-week baby Chinese mountain goat in the petting zoo section of the Shanghai Zoo.
The Lesser Panda, a cousin of the Giant Panda. Notice how it resembles a raccoon.
The Giant Panda. He is behind glass, which was dirty. There was a news report on TV during the Olympics about how reproduction has improved among Pandas. The government has introduced a lot of special food to make the male Panda feel good about himself. This seems to have worked, as a lot of baby Pandas have been born.
The Chinese Crested dog. It is hairless except for the face and feet.
The Jackass Penguin, so-named for the braying sound it makes. This penguin is only about 18 inches tall.
A black leopard. He looks so tame! Let sleeping leopards lie.
Adorable giraffes.
Asian elephant.
A park in Shanghai. One can never walk on the grass. Ever.
Notice the size of the people in this photo. These two skyscrapers are not as close together as they would appear in this photo. The one on the left is called the World Financial Center. The one on the right is called the Jin Mao Building (much gold). The Jin Mao is 88 floors - a double lucky building, since the number 8 represents luck. The WFC is now the tallest building in China. The courtyard at the top is not yet opened.
The tallest buildings in the world (so far).
Dubai will soon complete a building that will surpass Taipei 101, number 1 on the list of highest skyscrapers.
1. Taipei 101, Taiwan, Republic of China (Taiwan), 1,671 ft.
2. Shanghai World Financial Center, People's Republic of China, 1,614 ft.
3. Petronas Towers 1 and 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1,483 ft.
5. Sears Tower, Chicago, USA, 1,451 ft.
6. Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai, People's Republic of China, 1,380 ft.
7. Two International Finance Center, Hong Kong, (Hong Kong SAR) 1,362 ft.
8. CITIC Plaza, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China, 1,283 ft.
9. Shun Hing Square, Shenzhin, People's Republic of China, 1,260 ft.
10. Empire State Building, NYC, USA, 1,250 ft (structure, not the tip). Completed, 1931.
The World Financial Center and the Jin Mao building.
Stay tuned for Part 2: Shanghai at night.
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Comments: 74
It is beautiful, and what an opportunity!
Did your family take any photos of themselves with their host family???
There is part 2: Part 2
I am going to Google the 8 week program, I am interested in that.
Pardon the generic comment but I'm trying to get around to comment on SO MANY photos today! %^P
Love your photo, and I've left you a rating of 10. :o)
Well, Laree - I am thinking about trying to teach English in China next summer.
My husband's photos are now up - 120 of them are on photos and I will do 3 photo essays of them, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Thank you for using Gather Broadcast, where there is an open line of communication for all and you’re more than a connection.
Gather Broadcasting: Have it your way
This takes you in the back door. If you’ve already been, don’t click again.
Thank you for using Gather Broadcast, where there is an open line of communication for all and you’re more than a connection.
Gather Broadcasting: Have it your way
This takes you in the back door. If you’ve already been, don’t click again.
That, is wonderful. Brilliant pictures.
I am posting my husband's series part 2...in a few minutes...Part 3 Thursday.
Lots of good experiences and lots of bad experiences teaching English in China. Takes a bit of research to find a good job. But I have time. Nearly a year before summer comes around again.
The videos of Shanghai are even more amazing. And of course, many parts of China are fascinating.
I like Chinese American cuisine; however, beef tendon, frog, gut, steamed pigs something or other are all the rage. However, McDonald's are plentiful; Burger King, too - and the Burger King is better than in the US - there is lots of Italian food and many cuisines.
Plus, I love rice. I will try anything once.
My family was in Tokyo 3 summers ago with the same program. Much more variety of cuisine, much more English in China than in Japan.
English is the dominant world language and is becoming even more so.
Just think: in 10 years or 20 years, even more Chinese will be speaking English.
I wonder, why is it that they cannot walk on the grass? Is it protected for some reason?
Thanks for sharing this wonderful pictorial essay.....
amy, they had a great time but they are still jet lagged. Everybody back in school and work now. Even I am tired because it was easier when I was here with the cats, my writing, reading and my own peace of mind!