The jet lag is a killer, but the seasoned travelers tell me it takes three days to adjust. Night before last, I work up at 12:30 am wide awake, and last night I made it to 2:30 am. I'm hoping for 5 am tonight and a total acclamation by tomorrow night. My fingers are crossed.
Today was a fun day. We started off by visiting the tallest building in the world. It took us 60 seconds to reach the 97th floor. It is an amazing building with glass floors to view the city below. The building is in the new financial district of Shanghai. This area is full of new, amazing buildings with high end retail shops, that we later viewed (after dinner) from across the river. At night, the buildings become lighted billboards that would rival Las Vegas. Along with the floating barges that are also lit up, it makes for some beautiful photography. Dr. Bird took an amazing picture that I can't wait to see when we get back home.
In the afternoon we visited the Shanghai museum. Bryan and I explored the Chinese Bronze exhibit and the Jade exhibit. The museum is very modern and Shanghai is a very cosmopolitan city. I am most impressed with the modern art and creativity in Shanghai. Prior to the 1980's, we only saw ancient Chinese art and there was very little creativity immediately following the Cultural Revolution. But today, the Chinese people are creating beautiful works of art all over the city. Amazing murals, paintings, sculpture and architectural environments. I am told that many have been created for the World Expo and are new in the last year. It is truly a joy to witness and experience. There is a passion expressed in the works that I believe will define an era in Chinese history.
I remember seeing pictures and video of the Chinese people when President Nixon made his historic visit to China in the 1970's. Everyone was wearing the traditional black & white clothing, riding bicycles, and were considered to have "one thought" as part of the Communistic way of life. Today, the 'Chinese people have anything but "one thought". Creativity abounds and is around every corner in Shanghai. The Chinese people enjoy fashion and unique hair and clothing styles. Yesterday, when I walked into the food court at Fudan University, the students looked as if they could have been our students by the way they were dressed, the book bags and back packs they were carrying, their cell phones. laptops, and ear plugs. They were busy trying to visit with friends, eat lunch, and get back to class just like our students in the Union. It dawned on me that the Internet has truly transformed the planet into "one world".
We spent the late afternoon shopping in the historic district. This is a fabulous area with renovated buildings in the traditional Chinese architecture. After our daily Starbucks visit, we shopped like pro's. Vivian and one of our friends from Fudan University escorted us (and led the bargaining) from shop to shop. We ate dinner at a historic restaurant and were able to see a traditional Chinese wedding rehearsal dinner in the works. Vivian ordered for us and did an excellent job. The Shanghai crab dumplings were amazing and Vivian explained how they get the soup inside the dumpling.
The evening concluded with a visit to the riverfront for a photo shoot. Vivian hired a bus driver that played and serenaded us with "boy band" music. He was so funny singing the songs (loudly...as if in a keyoka bar) with his Chinese accent. It concluded a perfect day, and a most memorable visit to one of the world's most beautiful cities. I will always have fond memories of Shanghai and will hope to visit here again in the future.
By the way...if anyone sees Robin Purdy please tell her that we are going to have plenty of miles to log for "Cowboys on the Move". The students on campus better get busy because Dr. Bird and I are going to give the Faculty/Staff team a big boost!
How 'bout the POKES???? Happy to read that we won the game last night....Go Cowboys!
-Dr. Ehlers
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