Shanghai, Day 2

Wow! What a busy day today. We had such a fascinating day--we had so many new experiences that I will try to relate in word and pictures. We started out by going to the Buddhist temple.

They must have been having some special ceremonies there because there were so many monks, beautiful flowers, lots of people, and all kinds of action.

They were giving free incense sticks, so everyone had a good time lighting them.

The monks were singing and playing small instruments inside one of the parts of the temple.

Each of the buildings had a Budda for a special reason--such as protection, for the dead, for fertility, etc.

All of the buildings have about a foot high threshhold which you are to cross over we found out. Alison stopped and just put her foot on one since there were quite a few people inside. She was motioned to not just put her foot there, but to cross over and go in. We don't quite know the significance, but we want to find out.

There was one place that a whole group of elderly Chinese people had beads that they were sitting there moving around in their hands--again, I don't quite know the significance. But it was all very interesting.


We then went to a silk factory. Dad was in his heyday as he talked to all the little Chinese girls that were boiling the silk worms and starting the process of unraveling the thread onto spools.

We then watched Dad as he helped the girls pull out the silk after they had dried it and make it into batting for quilts and comforters.

Finally, we went into the show room where they had so many beautiful items for sale, including all kinds of pajamas and clothing--all made of silk. They also had a fashion show with beautiful Chinese girls showing many of the things they made there.

We went to the children's factory outlet which again was a huge warehouse with lots of little cubicles where they sold tons of children's items. They didn't chase us around like they did the day before where they sold adult clothing. We travelled then--I do mean travelled--everything is like an hour apart in this huge city of 24 million people! There Dad had three suits and a sports coat made for about $80 American money apiece for the suits! All hand tailored and made in three days by little Chinese people who stay up all night sewing. They do this day in and day out. It is just amazing!


Finally, we attended the most fantastic, entertaining show I have seen in a long time. John and Alison treated us to the Shanghai Acrobatic show.

These people don't seem to have a bone in their bodies the way they can balance and bend.

Also, they had a huge iron ball, but instead of the regular one or two motorcyclists inside, they had eight! It was so dangerous and they were all so close together, I was almost sick when they got done! But they had no fear! We took pictures of some of them afterward.

Well, that is a wrap-up for the day. John's sister Carrie and her husband are also here. We are having a great time with them, too. You may see them in some of the pictures. They are from Salt Lake City. It is 11:15 at night, and we are all dead tired!