62. CHINA - HERE I COME

 

Pearl's Tower, Shanghai

New, modern megastructures don't impress me - all that concrete, glass and chrome is cold and impersonal. This tower is certainly different I must say and has its architectural merits. All would-be megacities seem to have the same mindset in its urban planners - build a few fancy concrete structures, make them big, eye-catching, so the rest of the world will sit-up and notice and not forget them when MNC's relocate or start something new.

Officials in up-and-coming Asian cities have that same competitive mindset. It's a dog-eat-dog world.

This city's ready for the Olympics

















Jin Xi Water Village, Wuxi
The waters in this lake was more polluted by plastic trash than the backwaters of Kerala, India (post 61). Apart from this, it was a scenic ride, looked like a scene from some kungfu movie.









 






Most rowers are ladies, some at least in their 50's and 60's, spritely and strong.
The air was punctuated by their singing as they rowed visitors along the narrow waterways. I have a huge respect for the womenfolk I meet in the places I've been to in Asia. (elsewhere too I'm sure) Their life experiences make them women of substance. The hands that rock the cradle rule the world.
























 























This old bridge reflected in the placid waters of this lake makes me think of the duality of life - the physical that we feel and see and the hidden spiritual Self tucked away within.

 

When I first visited China and climbed The Great Wall outside Beijing, it was an unforgettable experience, like I did it yesterday.
Perhaps after the Olympics, sometime, a return visit is possible. These days I understand, it's awful crowded and expensive with the Olympics coming up, so I opted for Shanghai, bussing through Suchou, Wuxi and Hangzhou, collectively known as Jiangnan.

My first choice was Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan Province, up in the mountains, but my travel 'kaki' was not too hot about Nature while I wasn't too hot about cities and shopping. I gave in. Whilst in Shanghai, the earthquake devastated many areas in Sichuan Province.

Like India, China has a huge young population below 30 with tremendous potential. Their young are a disciplined lot, many are enrolled in gymnastic and other sports and dance academies and martial arts schools from a very young age. Their parents give wholehearted support for them to pursue their studies outside their country or to work overseas. Most are an only child. Students as young as 13-15 are sent to study here without the family, often living with a school appointed guardian. They overrun Singapore.