Chinese New Year 2010 - Xujiahui

---

The Chinese New Year began on February 14, 2010. We learned that the Chinese LOVE fireworks! And obviously can easily buy them! We were amazed at the sheer volume of fireworks going off constantly. We were able to watch out either of our apartment windows and see a show. On Chinese New Years morning, we woke up to a covering of snow on the ground!
On the fourth day of the New Year, we went to stay for a few days in the Xujiahui area of Shanghai. The best I can tell you how to pronounce "Xujiahui" is shoo-jee-ah-way, but I'm sure you won't ending up saying it anywhere close to how the Chinese say it! We stayed in the Courtyard Marriott where we were in easy walking distance of all the big shopping malls - 6 big malls at one main intersection!A great place to people watch!
The first afternoon, we checked out the Grand Gateway Mall, had lunch in their "food court" area, then, since the weather was nice outside, we walked to Xujiahui Park. We watched the pair of black swans for awhile and wandered around exploring the park. It's nice to be in Shanghai where people are more used to seeing foreigners and we don't get as many people staring at us!
We walked to the Novel Plaza and had dinner at the Blue Frog then did some shopping at City Shop, where they have a lot of imported Western foods. Then back to the room to relax.
As the evening wore on we started hearing a lot of fireworks, well, that continued to increase in volume - and continued ALL night long! We enjoyed the great show, but none of us got much sleep! It was crazy - there were fireworks everywhere - in between buildings, in the middle of streets - we cracked the window and the idea struck me that this was probably how it sounded in a war zone! I have a great video, but can't get it to load right now - I'll keep trying. I was very thankful to be safe in my hotel room, although Jim had gone out for a walk before it all really got going, and he had a hard time getting back with having to detour around the fireworks! It turns out that the 5th day of the Chinese New Year is the birthday of the Chinese god of wealth, so all of these fireworks were people wanting to please the god of wealth! It was certainly a night I won't forget! I guess every day of the Chinese New Year has special meaning.
The next day, we met a Chinese friend, Tina, for lunch and some shopping. We had lunch at a Korean BBQ Restaurant in the Grand Gateway Mall and really enjoyed it. After shopping awhile, Tina had to leave and we went across to the Metro City Mall and Pacific Digital Plaza. These places are so big and crowded that they are overwhelming to me!
That evening we relaxed in the swimming pool and since we hadn't slept well the night before, we were glad when bedtime arrived!
The next day, after storing our luggage, we went out for lunch at Applebee's (very good!)and I met the third "Linda" in China!(our waitress) I actually have met a 4th one now too! After lunch, we walked past the Xujiahui Cathedral, built in the early 1900's and still in operation today. It was being refurbished, but was still interesting to see. It was strange to see the Roman Catholic style pictures on the gates.
So, in this huge shopping area - all I bought was a bracelet from a street vendor, some Littlest Pet Shop toys for Leah, a world map from the bookstore and groceries! The world map is interesting - instead of the USA being in the center, China is in the center! Quite different to look at! It is now our main living room decor : -) Yes, we are a homeschooling family!
Be sure to scroll down past the comments section to see all of the pictures, there are 3 pages! You can also click on them to enlarge them.

---

Photos

Fireworks
From our apartment window on New Years Eve

Fireworks
From our apartment window on New Years Eve

Snow 2-14-10
Looking out back apartment window New Years morning

Grand Gateway Mall
located in the Xujiahui section of Shanghai

Jim and Leah
in front of Grand Gateway Mall New Years decorations

New Years Decorations
In front of Orient Shopping Center in Xujiahui

Leah
Inside of Grand Gateway Mall

KFC
Mmmm, what shall we have???? Thank goodness they have a small menu with some English on it!

Black Swans
Xujiahui Park

Leah and Linda
At Xujiahui Park

???? No Fishing ????
I think whoever placed this sign couldn't read it - the water was on the opposite side of the walk!

Leah and Jim
At Xujiahui Park, with walkway above

Leah
At Xujiahui Park, on the upper level walkway

Black Swan
Xujiahui Park

Entrance to Xujiahui Park
Planters made from drums

Metro City
In Xujiahui - the advertisements on the sphere kept changing

Metro City
In Xujiahui

Fireworks
From our hotel room

Fireworks
From our hotel room

Comments

[Marco]

Whoa it looks like a cool place to stay at.