Category Archives: Around and About Shanghai

Stories from ordinary and extraordinary life in this giant of a city

Top 10 Ways to Tell It’s May

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Kathy

10. The plane trees have popped. Come back in November if you want to see the onion dome on the old Russian church or the round windows in the deco buildings next door. 9. The poodles come out of their … Continue reading →

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My Son, the Spice Merchant

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Kathy

In which Alex sums up his five years in China. I’m glad to read he’s coming back soon for dan dan mian!

Posted in Around and About Shanghai, Beyond the Huangpu | 2 Comments

Sleepless in Shanghai

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Kathy

For the diehards who really miss China, and the exceptionally curious, I recorded a few key minutes around midnight, as seen and heard from our balcony in our lane. Not any special viewing point. Consider that this goes on everywhere … Continue reading →

Posted in Around and About Shanghai, Favorite Things About Shanghai, Holidays, Least Favorite Things About Shanghai | 2 Comments

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Kathy

Oops, wrong carol, wrong holiday! Though it’s hard to tell here that Christmas isn’t over. Here’s a shot I took this morning of a shop window: All around town, Christmas trees are serving their second tour of duty, now hung … Continue reading →

Posted in Around and About Shanghai, Favorite Things About Shanghai, Holidays | 4 Comments

Speaking of Crabs

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Kathy

Yesterday I came across these crabs for sale out of the back of a truck: I grew up near the Chesapeake Bay and as a child used to catch crabs off the end of a pier, with a chicken neck … Continue reading →

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Mysteries

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Kathy

Saturday, January 19, when we were out shopping, I decided to buy tickets to see the new ling-ling-qi (007) movie on Monday—the day it was finally going to open here in Shanghai. Monday, after all, was John’s birthday, and he … Continue reading →

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Bloomin’ bonsai

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Kathy

It’s probably about time for azaleas where I come from and although I had mixed feelings about planting such garish colors in my own front yard, I used to love walking or driving around Washington and seeing them everywhere, bunched … Continue reading →

Posted in Around and About Shanghai, Favorite Things About Shanghai | 5 Comments

Squanto would approve

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Kathy

Thanksgiving. Again. If you are hoping for entertaining stories about buying a turkey in a country where everything but turkey is eaten, or about how to store your frozen turkey since your fridge here is miniature (ask the store to … Continue reading →

Posted in Around and About Shanghai, Holidays | 3 Comments

Men at Work (Not!)

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Kathy

Back in the lane, back in my tingzijian. And plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose. The rotten floorboards have been replaced, but the big stink in the powder room is back. And a tad of demolition is going … Continue reading →

Posted in Around and About Shanghai | 2 Comments

Crash

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Kathy

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Posted in Around and About Shanghai, Least Favorite Things About Shanghai | 4 Comments