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Published: July 10th 2010
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Tried to sleep in but someone woke up me at 730 when they left. Nothing is worth getting up that early for on a Saturday. I spent most of my morning being lazy and reading before finally leaving around 11am. The goal was the Jade Buddha Temple (again) and if I got there around lunchtime I was hoping for few crowds. I knew what I had done wrong before and was ready to get it right!
I got off the metro and had the most interesting walk of my week. One minute you’re surrounded by tall, newish buildings and the next you’re accidentally stepping into a puddle that turns your foot grey while passing dilapidated housing, shops, and noodles thrown into the street. Between the buildings were narrow alleys with clothes strung up to dry. Residents young and old gathered on the sidewalk to eat and socialize.
Just when I thought I’d missed the temple (again) there were three or four incense shops in a row. I knew I had arrived.
The Jade Buddha Temple wasn’t too crowded, for which I was relieved. I’d forgotten how much I like temples. They always have a calming effect on me,
and with the cloudy weather today, I felt quite relaxed. The Jade Buddha was exquisite and I looked at it for a long while--both a Spanish tour group and some Chinese tourists (who made oil offerings) passed me.
Next I went to Jinan Temple. It has a history of over 700 years, but they are renovating it so it looks about 7 days old. There were a lot more people there (this one isn’t off the beaten path, but rather right at the metro stop) and the people watching was excellent. Points of interest include:
A man praying with lit incense almost setting a woman’s hair on fire. Luckily, I grabbed her so he only bumped her and got ash on her head. She yelled at him a lot, and part of me felt bad for him—you should be able to focus on your prayers without having to worry about people walking over and standing close to you and then setting them on fire!
A grandmother with a baby not even big enough to sit up but she kept trying to make him bow before Buddha on one of the cushions. I almost got a photo of it
but then two other people got in the way. At the next Buddha she kept dipping the child to make it seem like he was bowing. Once again, no photo.
After the temples I went for a walk around The Bund but one block over. There was magnificent architecture and few people. It was almost like stepping back in time! I found a Bund archive museum on accident. It was most impressive with photos and papers dating from the mid-1800s. Then I walked some more before taking the ferry across the river. I had hoped for a seat with a view, but I was only lucky enough to get a seat at all because a Chinese gentleman gave me his. Of course, the people by the windows didn’t seem to care about the view, but everyone in the middle section had a camera.
I walked for a while before reaching the promenade and take in the view some more. I just don’t tire of The Bund.
I did one more swing through the financial district before heading home around 530pm. I am exhausted and my feet are killing me. That means it’s time to eat and watch
the World Cup!
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