The world through my eyes
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In and around Yu Garden Bazaar
Some time ago, I visited the Yu Garden Bazaar here in Shanghai. Yu Garden is Shanghai’s most famous classical garden, and it is surrounded by a big market area that seems to cater mostly to Chinese tourists. It is always packed with people – in other words a nice photo spot!
Before going home, I took a short walk in the area surrounding Yu Garden. Nothing “special” there, just ordinary Shanghai life with everyday people. For me, just as interesting.
Enjoy my pictures 
Oldish and newish.
Roofs reaching for the sky.
Uh-oh. Wouldn’t want to mess with these guys…
Proud grandma
A room with a view.
Enjoying the paper and the sun.
Ahhh. The classical Shanghai pyjama for outdoor use. Albeit without Hello Kitty. But I guess HK isn’t really a guy thing…
Waiting. It seems.
Granny quietly crocheting away.
Phoning in between phones.
Colours
Yesterday me and my camera went for a walk around the Jing’An Temple area here in Shanghai. I didn’t have any big plans, was just hoping to find some interesting motives along the way.
After about two hours, I was really cold and somewhat disappointed. I hadn’t being able to shoot any pictures that made me feel “wow!”
But…when I came home, and went through the photos, I realized that there were some I really liked after all. And some of these even formed a theme – namely “Colours”.
Here are the pictures, for you to see. Enjoy
The last picture kind of sticks out from the rest. Focus is not on one, bright colour – it is more about colour shades…
The enchanted forest
On New Year’s Eve, I visited the golf course and nature reserve Kungsmarken, a few kilometres from my hometown Lund in Sweden. The temperature had been very mild throughout the week, up to 10 degrees Celsius. But on the last day of 2011, it dropped to around zero. That, combined with the dampness in the air, created thick fog and a dreamy, fairytale-like atmosphere I thoroughly enjoyed.
Enjoy my pictures.
EDIT: when thinking about, the picture below doesn’t really fit in with the rest, in terms of ambience. It kind of tells a different story. (Also, it is not taken IN the “enchanted forest” itself. I shot it while leaving the parking lot.) But…I chose to publish it here anyway, because…well, just because I like it.
Shangburbia, Disturbia
This picture is taken near my home, in Qingpu district, the outskirts of Shanghai. Or Shangburbia, as I fondly refer to. There is something about this view that makes me think of the American Midwest. And there is something about the picture that makes me slightly … uneasy. The atmosphere is kind of … I don’t know … eerie? Or ominous? Uncanny? Spectral? Disurbring? I get the same feeling when I look at the painting Christina’s world by Andrew Wyeth. Or any painting at all by Edward Hopper.
Ohhhh…what can I say. I’m a sucker for eeriness. And lucky for me, there’s a lot of that to be had here in Shanghai.
Autumn in 古猗园 – Guyi Garden
Guyi Garden In Nanxiang Town, Jiading District, is a kind of hidden, not very well known gem in Shanghai. It was built during the Ming Dynasty (16th century) . It is not as crowded as other classical gardens and parks in the city, and therefore a perfect choice for those who want to enjoy nature and beautiful, traditional Chinese landscaping, in (some) peace and quiet.
I went to Guyi Garden a couple of days ago – one of the first days in December. The temperature was not more than five degrees plus, so I think even fewer people than usual ventured out to this lovely place.
Enjoy my autumn pictures
古猗园 is regarded as one of the most important classical gardens of Shanghai.
Autumn colours.
Lush greenery.
This is not only a beautiful garden – it is also a civilized park 
And in a civilized park, you never have to be unsure of what date it is, what the weather is like, and how cold or warm it is.
There is even a Shopping Instruction. And the telephone number to the Complaint Hotline. Of course, you will never have to dial that number – I mean, what complaints could you possibly have when in a civilized park?!?!
Me enjoying the view.
Somebody else also took some time out for a peaceful stroll.
Yellow leaves always light up and warm a chilly autumn day…
…although it was not too cold for the oldtimers to enjoy a game of … whatever … together.
A picture and its story
There is this picture I took a couple of weeks ago, that means a lot to me. It is kind of gloomy but also hopeful.
If you want to, you can have a look at it, over at my other blog, Annieverse. I normally write in Swedish over there, but I somehow felt that the story behind the picture, or, more correctly, the feelings that the picture evoked in me, would be interesting to read also for non-Swedish speakers.
I hope you will enjoy both the picture and the text.
An afternoon at Qi bao Old Street
Qi bao Old Street in Shanghai – 七宝老街 - gives you an idea of what smaller towns around Shanghai ues to look like in “the good old days” (a couple of hundred years ago).
The town Qi bao, which was built about a thousand years ago, is about two square kilometers in size, and is intersected by two water lanes. It is a lovely place to go if you get tired of the hustle and bustle of hectic downtown Shanghai, but don’t have the time or energy to get out of the city.
Here are my impressions of Qi bao, and it’s visitors, on a mild and sunny, lovely November afternoon.
Enjoy
Almost like Venice, no?
Taking some time out.
Of course you have to take a photo of your sweetheart at the picturesque bridge …
Angling luck on this day was … so-so. As you can see, some lost interest totally…
What to make of this? He withdrew because he got tired of all that girly talk? Or he feels left out?
I dunno, but I guess the conversation is going somewhat like this: “Nahhhhhhh, he really said that?!? Get OUTTA here!”
Such a handsome gentleman!
Portrait painting business was kinda slow on this particular day …
…but some painters were actually busy. Oh, and check out the ueber-cute granny in the middle of this pic!
Lots of goodies to be bought and munched in Qi bao…
Have no idea what this is, but I’m sure it’s delicious.
By all means, interpret this anyway you want.
Geeez, look! they even have a Customers’ Complaint Office hereabouts
Women are from Venus, men are from Mars, and never the two shall meet … and all that crap, y’know…well, nice lanterns anyway…
Saving the best for almost the last … sorry to use foul language now, but F-CK, F-CK, F-CK, am I proud of this shot or what?!?!
Well good night, y’all…
… time to go home.
Hŭqiū (Tiger Hill), Suzhou
Last weekend, hubby, daughter and I went to Suzhou to visit the lovely Hŭqiū (often called Tiger Hill), a hilly area which is Suzhou’s number 1 tourist destination. Besides the natural beauty, Hŭqiū is home of a number of historical sights, among others Yunyuan Pagoada (“Leaning tower of Suzhou”), many lovely Chinese gardens and tea houses.
Enjoy with me the autumn splendor
Around Changle Lu
Was meeting a friend for lunch at Changle Lu (in the French Concession) today. I arrived early, to take some pics in the vicinity. Ordinary street life on an ordinary Wednesday. Enjoy.
Ah, the avenues with the lush greenery …a French Concession trademark.
Time for lunch.
Chicken, maybe? Very fresh!
Enjoying some solitary time out. With noodles.
Stock up on vitamins here, folks!
Wow! Who would have known that Shanghai Post and Telecommunications has its own hospital?
If I had a scooter this pink, I would look very happy too!
Is that time of year…to choose warm slippers…
Heritage architecture. Loads of that in the French Concession.
Old and new. High and low.
Well hello, Chairman M, Sir!
I like the way this guy matches the wall.
The door. The trees. The perfect match.
Waiting? Chatting? Or just relaxing?
I took a brief stroll through Huangpu Park on the same day I visited Hongkou. Pics were taken before and after the rain. I think the grayish-blue nuances are beautiful. And people watching was, as always, a delight
Huangpu Park, overlooking the Bund, 20 minutes before the rain started.
At the Monument to the People’s Heroes.
Gotta love this outfit
And also these ueber-cool girls (check out the duck bag!)
Checking out the view…binoculars come in handy…
Raindrops – wonderful to the touch!
After the rain. Ah, the magnificent sky.
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