Shanghai - the last part of the old town

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Seven hours walking around the old lanes in what is left of the old town in Shanghai, poking inside the antique markets and feeling the fabric in the cloth market wasn't enough to really get to the bottom of the people living here.

I saw real beauty. In the women's faces, the old traditional skills mending shoes and tailoring, the old houses divided up in 1949 to house 4 or 5 families, all higledy pigledy with additions that made my heart sink but beatiful in their chinese recourseful way, the tea house, temple, food market and the bustle, and lanes so close that they touch above your head.

I laughed and was laughed at, held hands and poked things. These people are warm and welcoming and I want to show you a part of Shanghai that may not be here in two years time - hopefully, I can bring Patti before it's all destroyed.

There's no need for anymore words - just the photos.

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Photos

my favourite house
divided up for many families.
beautiful floors, doors and balconies
once one house

once a house for one family
now divided into four family places to live