Walking in my neighbourhood

After a crappy day of rain, at 4 pm. the skies cleared and the sun came out. I went online and it had hit 20C. Lingtai told me that Spring weather in Shanghai is like a "baby's face- it changes constantly".


I took advantage of the change in the weather and walked around. I am still a bit "shy" to take photos of my neighbours, but here are a few shots.

 These are the workers who constantly sweep the streets and collect debris. In this shot they look like they are "eyeing" the woman in the distance, but honestly, it's one nasty Western habit that Asian men have NOT picked up. I have NEVER seen
asian men "ogling" women. It's a very patriarchal society, but it is not expressed in this way

 Here's a little Asian woman who (ostensibly) takes care of people crossing the street when the light changes. She has a whistle and blows it loudly and constantly, but no one pays attention. She has no power to give tickets, or impose sanctions. I asked my students about these workers and they told me the government employs these workers to keep unemployment at an acceptable level.

Since Spring has "sprung"- street work, painting and repairing in the city of Shanghai has quadrupled. These workers are characteristically "smaller" than Shanghai-nese, and have much darker skin and broader features. This is the "ethnic diversity" of Shanghai. These workers come from "away"- usually began as farmers in villagers - hence their weathered skin. They migrate to Shanghai for a better life and do hard, manual labour - IF they can find work at all.

Yup. This is someone's laundry hung out on a makeshift clothesline on the sidewalk. This happens everywhere. I am constantly ducking from underwear, shirts and bras.

 I walk by this little family's shop almost every day. It is like a one-car garage - complete with sliding garage door. He fixes scooters - his wares spill out onto the sidewalk. She dresses, bathes, and feeds their little guy ( 8 months old?) on the sidewalk. And yes, this is their laundry hanging out to dry.

 A tinsmith's shop

 A bicycle store

Water waiting to be delivered by this vehicle ( below)

 Back to the dorm, where things are blooming. It  seems, just overnight!