Day Two, Shanghai:
On Wednesday the 21st the class visited a number of sites, including the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Botanical Garden, and the Shanghai Seed and Seedling Group Co.
The first stop was the Museum, but we arrived 45 minutes early. To pass the time we went to the adjacent people's square. The square is a large open marble square lined with cultivated vegetation and benches for people to enjoy. In a few days the Olympic Torch was going to pass through Shanghai, so there was a large platform under construction for the festivities. We noticed that there were many laborers with hand tools sweeping, mowing, and working in the square.
After passing the time we entered the four-floor Museum, which included a lengthy security check. The artifacts within were spectacular. We all had our favorite portion of the museum, but my personal favorite was the chinese paintings exhibit. Other exhibits were Minority National Art, Currency, Ming and Qing Furniture, Seals, Calligraphy, Ceramics, Bronze, and Sculptures. Each floor had a small gift shop with themes linked to the floor's exhibits, and there was also a large gift shop at the exit.
Next was lunch at Sunny Teppanyaki restaurant, which was excellent. It was a Japanese/Korean style restaurant where the food was cooked for us at the table. The meal included a spicy soup, flavorful beef or chicken, cabbage, and fried rice.
On our way out of town to the seed company we stopped by the Shanghai Botanical Garden. The most striking feature right away was the departure from the natural look that has characterized the traditional Chinese gardens we have been studying. Instead we were greeted at the gate with vibrant, colorful flower displays in all sorts of shapes and figures. There were at least 3-4 couples having their wedding pictures taken there. I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures posted when we have access to fast internet =)
Next up was the Shanghai Seed and Seedling Group Company, which was a short drive outside of Shanghai. The company is a government operated organization. Rather than growing and selling according to the market, the government directs the company on what to grow, then buys what is grown. The manager is paid a regular salary, and is required to pay any workers a minimum wage. The assistant manager happened to have studied in Minnesota for a time and worked in Wager's. The company employs 52 regular employees, with 70-80 seasonal workers during peak times. The greenhouse production area featured modern equipment and efficient facilities. Their source of water is rain water, which is filtered and PH adjusted before being sent to the plants. The size of the greenhouse operation is similar to Bushel Boy Tomatoes.
On the way back into Shanghai we stopped at a local fruit market to look and shop. The local shop keepers and pedestrians were probably as curious as we were while we browsed through familiar fruits like bananas and watermelon, to the exotic things like dragon-fruit. It was great to stop in a place that was in no way connected to the tourism industry.
Dinner was in a building on top of a store selling Chinese embroidery art. The format was like our first meal in China with a lazy susan of food in the middle of the table. Tonight's highlight item was a Squirrel Fish with the head served on the plate. French fries were also brought for us. The variety of tastes was delightful. After dinner we were brought through the shop. The art was a tiny bit beyond our budget (average price was about $4,000; the most expensive item was $28,000). Despite the high price, the art was breathtaking. Standing a few feet back the images look almost real, like we were looking into a window, or perhaps a photograph. Upon closer inspection the threads and workmanship became apparent.
Tomorrow we are off to Suzhou!
