As I mentioned yesterday my husband, Andrew, recently traveled to China. Many people asked "why didn't you go with him?" Well, mainly because I'd already planned a trip to Phoenix to visit my brother and his family that same week, and the China trip came out of the blue. Maybe if he returns I'll go, maybe...to be honest China has never been on my list of places to visit.
When asked what I wanted him to bring back for me, I said just photos — I wanted to see what green there was in an area that has a reputation for pollution and rampant urban development. Here's a view from Andrew's hotel room — just a small portion of the Shanghai skyline — photo taken toward Nanjing Road. Evidently there is an extensive park system in Shanghai.
Here's another image of the Shanghai skyline, this photo taken from the Jinmao Tower looking west toward the Huangpu River. Those tall buildings appear to go on forever don't they?
A Greenwall on the Bund. The Bund is an area of European colonial architecture along the Huangpu River (more info here).
Poster spotted in the Fairmont Peace Hotel. One of the men shown in the poster was performing at the hotel..."they are not the best band in the world, but they are the oldest"...
Another photo from Andrew's hotel room in Old Town, Shanghai.
Close up of the balcony shown above, with plants and laundry.
Laundry poles, another Old Town street scene.
Shoe repair on Fangbang Road. This photo is the Chinese counterpart to one I took of a cobbler's shop in Florence, Italy, when we visited in 2006.
Bicycle repair, also on Fangbang Road.
Tiny turtles at the Flower, Bird, Fish and Insect Market. "If you want old school — really old school — China, this is where to go." (read more)
Crickets, some for fighting, some for singing...
Tillandsia at the market.
There were many individual stalls, all selling their unique blend of wares.
Outside the market, Andrew spotted this Agave.
There was no price that he could see, he thought it might be part of someone's collection and thus not for sale. I think it's A. 'Kissho Kan'?
Bonsai and other plants for sale on Xizang Road.
Cactus and succulents in the window at the Volunteer Center (meaning of "volunteer center" was unclear — but it looks like they're still celebrating the New Year).
Originally Andrew wanted to photograph this mass of grafted Euphorbia outside a fancy shopping district, but when this couple decided it was worthy of a portrait session, well his photo got even better.
Palms at Huai Hai Park
This scene in Jing'an Park shows just what a social center the parks are for people living in the many urban high-rise buildings.
Band playing in Jing'an Park
Andrew did have the opportunity to visit a traditional Chinese Garden, Yu Garden.
"Yu Garden. Pan Yundan, the governor of Sichuan, created this Garden of Joy (Yu Yuan) for his father in the 16th century. The land was later sold to guilds of merchants. All the elements expected from the garden of a prominent social figure are found here: streams, lotus ponds, bonsais, bizarrely shaped rocks conjuring up images of mountains, a pool evoking seas and lakes — all designed to create reproductions of famous natural settings on a reduced scale." (from his Lonely Planet pocket guide book)
This scene reminds me very much of the "Knowing the Fish Pavilion" in our Lan Su Chinese Garden here in Portland.
(I wonder if that bucket on the right was part of someone tidying up?)
A sign in the garden.
Switching gears! (just a little) This graphic was one Andrew saw a couple of times during his travels. We decided that's "hot boy" on the left and "cold boy" on the right, they appeared on heating and air-conditioning units. Doing a little "Google" research I discovered these are the Haier brothers and they have a cartoon series in China, they also appear on Haier electrical appliances (hence the HVAC). Evidently they've have become underground gay icons too (gee, ya think?)...
Here's a gigantic forge at a Hardware factory in Shanghai. Note the person (dwarfed by the machine) on the left.
Plants outside a glass factory near Wuxi.
And a lonely plant, cheering someone's workspace in a stamping and spinning factory.
An orchard as seen through a window at a threaded parts factory in the Wuxi area.
And finally, just so you know photos aren't the only thing I got, Andrew purchased this cashmere scarf at the Yu Yuan Garden bazaar (market area near the garden). The salesperson was happy to model it for him...
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Andrew's photos are absolutely fascinating. Most people would take a few casual snaps, but he went much deeper and captured a sense of what it's like to live there. I'd love to see more!
ReplyDeleteHe'll be happy to hear you think so! (all the other photos were factory photos...)
DeleteAndrew brought back some great pictures! I can certainly see the stylistic resemblances to Lan Su, but the big difference is that the Garden of Joy looks authentically old. Also...were those crickets alive?
ReplyDeleteYes, they were alive. The one thing Andrew brought back for himself was a cricket carrier. It's a hallowed out bamboo tube with a cap. The cap is perforated so you can hear the cricket's song.
DeleteLove this glimpse into a world I can only imagine. It may seem strange, but the traditional garden was my least favorite part of this post -- love the street shots!
ReplyDeleteNot odd at all Alan, I felt the same way. I've only warmed to Lan Su over the years because of the cool plants. The rest of it (the traditional stuff) has always left me cold.
DeleteThese photographs are absolutely amazing. Thank you to you and Andrew for sharing the gardens and culture of China. I so enjoyed the virtual tour!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Lee, and I'm glad yo uenjoyed!
DeleteI think the photos are a great gift, although the cashmere scarf is nice too! The bird/fish/insect market made me sad but I'm glad you got further proof of your statement "there's always an agave"!
ReplyDeleteYa, I tried not to dwell on the sadness of that market. I couldn't read much of the article I linked to because of that. And YES! I'm glad you remembered the "always an Agave" line.
DeleteThanks to you and Andrew for sharing his pictures. It's fascinating to travel and see how differently people live -- and to see what binds us together, like a love of plants! The photos remind me of the trip my husband and I took to Beijing a few years ago: http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=24465
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link, I will check it out!
DeleteThis is proof that "There's always an agave." Very interesting street shots. The HVAC thing is too funny!
ReplyDeleteALWAYS! "Gay icons" is pretty much exactly what I thought when I saw that image...glad you enjoyed.
DeleteFascinating. My brother lives 90% of the time in China, but I still have no interest or desire to go. He says there are some parts that are quite beautiful and not completely polluted. I'll take his word for it, and your husbands photos prove how interesting it all is.
ReplyDeleteOne of Andrew's traveling companions remarked the air was much cleaner than "usual"...I guess he got lucky!
DeleteMom told me how the parks there were full of people, often gathering for a morning Tai Chi session. All the plants adorning a mostly manmade landscape had me nodding in understanding. If I lived in a place with that many skyscrapers, I would likely be toting a mini landscape along, too. Also, I agree with Alan's assessment - love the street scenes. This was a fun post! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Anna! And knowing Andrew is a morning person I'm surprised he didn't get any Tai Chi shots. Maybe he was too busy enjoying the breakfast buffet at the hotel (or more likely still on Pacific DLS time...)
DeleteThanks for the sharing. My grandparents still live in the old town. Your pictures just brought a lot of memories to me. I agree with Gerhard Bock, your husband went much deeper with his photos. Did he try the juicy small bun with pork and crab meat at Yu Garden?
ReplyDeleteSO glad you liked the photos Sherry, and I'll have to ask him about the treat you mention. It sounds like something he would enjoy!
DeleteTotally love this post. Thanks to Andrew for sharing his great photography (and you, too!). Just fascinating. That Agave is pretty darn cool. If it is Kissho Kan, I wonder if it has that form because it is growing in low light? Mine is quite tight with short leaves and red spines.
ReplyDeleteHe took some great photos didn't he? And yes...definitely not a happy Agave, the low light has taken it's toll. Mine is as you describe, tight leaves with a definite red edge. If you look at the edge of the bottom of the leaves in the first Agave photo you can see a bit of red.
DeleteThanks for pointing out the red spines at the bottom. I have to admit that I actually like its languid leaves, maybe just because it is so different. Not only does the form intrigue me, but also the fact that it doesn't seem to be reaching for the light, even though it is against a wall. I wonder if someone turns it? Sorry, it just makes me so curious!
DeleteI'm still laughing about Fangbang Road. Yes, I'm very immature but you knew that, right? I would have been so tempted to rescue those turtles. They're so cute. ... Did you notice that there were no children in the parks? I wonder if they're forced to be in school at that time. Great post. Please give Andrew a big thumbs up.
ReplyDeleteI was right there with you Grace. When Andrew was telling me about the photos we had to stop and have fun with "Fangbang Road" for quite awhile. I believe it was a weekend day when he was at the park, maybe there's a sort of play section where all the kids were?
DeleteGreat photos. Two of my brothers-in-laws who are engineers have been to China for work numerous times. They returned with many interesting and scary stories. Did not make me want to rush over and visit.
ReplyDeleteEngineers and scary stories? I think maybe I'll stay home next time...
DeleteIf you ever get the chance to go, you should. I didn't want to go either, but a free plane ticket is a free plane ticket. It was AMAZING! Yes, some pollution and crowds, but so worth it. We happened to be in Xi'an during the world horticultural exhibition and that was crazy, like a world's fair but just for flowers.
ReplyDeleteAlso, real Chinese food is soooo good.
Your logic is sound (re: free plane ticket). Mine wouldn't be though so no doubt that will factor in. World horticultural exhibition? You were lucky!
DeleteLive crickets in boxes, only in China. Chinese cities have never been on my list to visit, but there are so many botanical and geological wonders in that country. I do like that people keep potted plants around and inside the factories, even right next to where they work.
ReplyDeleteI almost didn't include that photo because it just made me uncomfortable (the crickets) but, it is an entirely different culture...
DeleteA great peek into, as you say, an entirely different culture. Fascinating post Loree. And I love your new scarf!
ReplyDeleteI just happened upon your blog because of gardening and there was a link from another blog. My daughter lived in Shanghai for 9 years. I visited twice but did not get to any gardens, though we did go to a flower market. I loved seeing these photos. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures! How I would love to visit China.
ReplyDelete