Shanghai

I was surprised in Shanghai one night in 2003 when I realized the waiter was ordering for me via a handheld wireless device. He also printed my check right out from that device. Well, unfortunately, I was not impressed by the food in that particular restaurant. Maybe high tech and good food don't exactly mix. Or, maybe management paid too much attention to gadgets and not enough to the chefs!

I consider the Shanghai Museum as a must for all visitors to China. It is interesting that Shanghai, the city itself, really does not have much of a history but it has the best museum in China. I visited this museum every time I was in Shanghai. You can learn a lot about the Chinese culture through their jade, ceramic and bronze exhibitions. The Shanghai Museum has the best and most extensive collections of these items in the world.

I was there once with a friend of mine who was a mechanical engineer by trade. We were looking at a piece of jade that was about 8,000 years old. My friend explained to me that the tools and workmanship involved were not quite as simple as I would have imagined; and proceeded to tell me about all the techniques and processes involved in making such a piece. I learned a lot more from him as we moved through the ancient bronze section. He pointed out things to me that I was totally unaware of before. I guess I should have an artist to come along next time I visit the museum.

A Ceramic Jar

A Dragon Plate

Coffee in Shanghai

Inside Yu Garden

Nanjing Road

Wall at Yu Garden