Winding Down (Shanghai)

Today my only day in Shanghai and all I got was miserable weather, but I had to go and see some of the city, it was my only day in Shanghai. we started off by heading to the Pearl TV Tower, went all the way up hoping to see the unbelievable Shanghai skyline from the vantage point of 1500+ feet, we got to the top and well visibility was only a couple of hundred feet, still really cool, but it would have been better on a clear day. after this we split into two groups, one went to the Shanghai Aquarium, and the other headed to the Shanghai Art Museum; I headed to the art museum, after all aquariums are similar and well I have been to a few, so I headed toward the arts. the museum is in an elegant building, I walked in and paid the 5 Yuan admission, there were 4 floors each a different exhibit, the first was a Photography exhibit represented about half the exhibit, I particularly enjoyed the Satire of the photograph entitled "Suicide" (below). The second level had some cool sculptures as well as some contemporary art; I just loved the sculpture “Baby Gay" by Livio Scarpella (below). the final two floors were a treat but I forgot to write down the artists I truly appreciated, and the main exhibit on the fourth floor was great, but again no name, but there were some great portraits up there, and well after 3 hours in the museum and looking at all I could, I went down to the gift shop, didn’t find anything of interest and exited the building. At this time it was raining so I ran down to Starbuck’s and had a refreshing hot drink, and headed out into the rain. I found myself aimlessly roaming I stumbled into a mall, and 6 others in search for the a red pair of Nike’s that my barber in Nanjing was wearing, but to no avail, and when I found others that I liked they didn’t carry my size (47). I wandered even more down Nanjing road, and well it reminded me a little of times sq, not as many lights but I was offered everything from watches to weed, and well it was all in the open the vendors did almost nothing to conceal what they were selling. I was tired I got into a cab and headed back to the hotel, I hope to enjoy some of Shanghai’s great nightlife this evening, but we'll see, I am wiped, and out of cash..... cant wait to be back stateside where i can make money to spend on beer and shows....

ttyl






Suicide by Man Ray


Baby Gay by Livio Scarpella