Jam-packed Day in China

From Jenny Jervis, upper school French teacher
The Jinjiang hotel is really more of a compound. There are at least five different lodgings that are enclosed by a wall, forming a secure unit.  It is clear why many heads of state and even the Queen of England stayed in the Jinjiang during  visits to Shanghai.  While our section appears to be one of the older structures, our rooms are spacious, modern and lovely.  We have huge bathrooms, all four walls of which are floor to ceiling mirrors.  Heated marble floors and granite fixtures add to the elegance.

Monday, we began at the Shanghai Museum, located in People’s Square.  An enormous structure balances a square base, representing the Earth, a round dome, designating heaven.  We began our visit at the fourth floor and circled down to the gift shop.  The Shanghai Museum houses eleven galleries and three exhibition halls, which display ancient bronze, ancient ceramic, paintings, calligraphy, ancient sculpture, ancient jade, Chinese money, Ming and Qing furniture, Chinese seals and minority nationalities.  We were amazed by each of these collections.  After this stop, we took a short ride to the Pearl Market, where we received a brief explanation on how pearls are formed, the difference between salt and fresh water pearls and the aspects that determine a pearl’s value:  luster, size, shape, symmetry and flaws.  We were then left to peruse the merchandise, again succumbing to some purchases. 

We lunched at the Bund Hotel and then traveled to Zhujiajiao, Water Town, about an hour from downtown Shanghai.  Surprised by the quick cloud cover, we bundled as best we could to brace for the lower, wetter temperature.  Daniel, our Shanghai-based tour guide, led us through the narrow passageways, by numerous merchants and across one bridge to our next event, a boat ride along the river.  We were transported comfortably on flat boats, manned by just one rower, soaking in the sights, architecture and people of this quaint town. 

We ended our day at the Shanghai Acrobatic Show.   What a spectacular demonstration of dance, gymnastics, juggling, concentration and timing.  We were wowed with the artists’ flexibility and strength.  We were greeted with a woman, nestled among three others who twisted, turned and manipulated her body into impossible positions, all while balancing on one hand and while her mechanic lift varied in height from a foot off the ground to ten.  We witnessed a man throw, catch, balance and juggle very heavy and large pieces of Chinese pottery. Later a large group of males delighted us with their choreography, gymnastics and precision as they danced, jumped, flipped, slid and catapulted themselves through rings, gaining their speed and height from swings and see-saws.  So wild!  Later we held our breath as a couple dressed in white recounted their love story while suspended from flowing ribbons dropped from the ceiling.  In the finale, we sat, dumbfounded as motorcyclists entered a sphere one by one, culminating with EIGHT drivers coordinated their paths in an incredibly confining space!  We delighted in the threading of the performers’ various talents all accompanied by live music featuring traditional Chinese instruments, a female soloist and stunning backdrops illustrating both the ancient and modern Chinese culture.