Walking in Wuhan

I saw this at Wuhan International Plaza.  I think it was a new shop, offering fur (or fake fur, I didn't go up to feel) for ladies and their pooches.  Babes got a huge kick out of the display and wanted to get a cloak for Honeydog, but, as I pointed out, Honey already has fur (plus the shop looked REALLY expensive).

I don't think they were too pleased about me taking pictures, but they were too afraid to come talk to the foreigner.... Yay for me!

Walking in Wuhan Zhongshan Park edition (Bonus-SMURFS!)

Hi All!  Here are some shots taken while walking through Zhongshan park.  Despite the fact that it's pretty close to our house we have never been there before.  It's a decent sized park, and it even has a small amusement park inside it, complete with fun houses, roller coasters, and creepy kid rides.

The Smurfs were not a Zhongshan park, I just happened to come across them one morning on my way to buy bagels at Wuhan Tiandi.  I think they were set up as part of a promotion for The Smurfs 2.  Imagine my surprise when I came across a (what I imagine to be) actual sized smurf village.  I wanted to go inside and play with them, but there was security posted, so I refrained.

Walking in Wuhan - Flower and Bird Market

The weather here has cooled down slightly.  You know it has been hot when you think a 90 (33 for you Celsius users) degree day is cooler.  I was therefore determined, to get out of the house and go see something.  I have been hearing about a big flower and pet market in Hankou, supposedly not too far from Wuhan Tiandi, so I decided to find this place and go there.  I had a hard time finding anything about it in English on the web, though.  The best I came up with, was that it was about 200 meters away from the Wuhan Changjiang No. 2 bridge.  Adding that to the knowledge that it was near Tiandi, I decided to give it a try.  

 Using my trusty Google Maps app (more on this Friday) I plotted a course to the nearest bus stop to the No. 2 bridge.  Once I got off the bus though, I realized where I had gone wrong in planning.  I just figured I could ask around once I got near enough and go from there.  Unfortunately, the area was pretty deserted.  And the few people I did see were not likely to speak enough clear Mandarin for me to be able to understand.  So I used my Chevrolegs to see what I could find.  Surprisingly, I did find it after 30 minutes or so of walking (it turns out, that despite the fact that it felt cooler 90 degrees is still actually pretty hot), and it turns out that I got off the bus right there, but walked right past it.

 I also brought the big camera, but forgot to put the memory card in it, so I had to take the pictures with my phone, again.  But I guess I should be grateful that I didn't wander about all that way only to have no camera and nothing to show for the walking.... I guess.

 I was expecting something much bigger, this was more of a medium sized market than a BIG market, but interesting none-the-less.  It immediately brought to mind the phrase used to describe the Muppet Show-- it was filled with dogs, and frogs, and pigs and chickens.  (actually I didn't see any frogs, but I did not look closely at the aquariums).

If you are looking for this place it is on YanJiang Ave, 200 meters North of the Changjiang No. 2 bridge.  And the sign for the place looks like this:

The characters aren't super clear so here they are again:  花鸟市场 

 

 And the entrance looks like a parking lot entrance (which it technically is):

Walking in Wuhan, parking and crazy car edition

This guy figured his car wouldn't fit in the space, so he just parked half on the sidewalk.  

Aside from the fact that this car is full on parked on the sidewalk (perfectly legit to do) it is the color of a purple Christmas ornament.

Last, but not least, the crazy Mini.  

I apologize for the short short post, but I'm still trying to get back in the groove.

Walking in Wuhan

A different park, but no less interesting...

walking in Wuhan

Walking in Wuhan with Babes during Chinese New Year

Walking in Wuhan, run up to Chinese New Year edition

As the year of the snake approaches, the stores have been awash in a sea of red, and crowded, oh so crowded.  Chinese people are busy shopping, spring cleaning, and smoking meat as they prepare for the arrival of relatives and friends.  

Walking...but not in Wuhan

Monday I had to go into Shanghai to see a dentist (BOO).  Luckily, things were not as dire as they seemed, so I basically had a free day (YAY) to wander around Shanghai. It was a beautiful day, blue skies, mild weather, lots of quiet streets....

well manicured green spots

Phone booths with WIFI!

The Shanghai Metro map... so convenient

I know it's new, but look how clean!

Quiet tree lined streets

Neighborhood pedestrian areas

skin care boutiques at the mall

people's park

the big pedestrian street

for your protection

the fancy new Shanghai train station

This guy has on roller skates and fans!