As Seen by TV

My first proper exploration of Xujiahui… from north to east (here is a photo of XJH from 1995!).

So I recently moved to right around Xujiahui, actually right by it.  Simple put: a great area… it’s like a city center just outside the city center.  Actually, it is a city center. 

I’m 2 blocks away from the massive intersection that is XJH and less than a block away from Xujiahui Park (map), a modern park I only explored for the first time this past weekend.
It got a little chilly while shooting, so I had to cut it short, but for a 5 minute walk, I’m pretty sure I’ll be back soon.

*UPDATE*  Check out this amazing photography of Earth Hour in action around the globe (click the image to dim the lights)!

In 10 days, on March 27 @ 8:30pm (local time, wherever you are) the World Wildlife Fund will organize Earth Hour, asking you to turn off your lights for one hour.  
Just do it. 

Also just today I received an email from my hosting company, that my website is now run on 100% wind energy, let’s hear it for the environment, woot!

Xintiandi (新天地; xīn tiān dì), or XTD as I call it, is an area of restored shikumen, traditional stone houses and alleyways.  It is the hot-spot in Shanghai, mostly aimed at tourists, with restaurants, bars, cafes, a shopping mall, and even a jazz club.  I had previously blogged about an area called Tianzifang, similar to XTD only not as touristy [yet]… the locals still live there washing their dishes in the alleys surrounded by small artsy boutiques and quiet restaurants.   Whereas XTD feels fake and incredibly pretentious, and if you happen to walk into one of the restaurants or cafes in XTD and see your bill, you’ll completely forget you’re in China.  

XTD holds a personal record with my Most Expensive Beer Ever, from the Paulaner Bräuhaus… a whopping 138RMB (US$ 20.29) for a 1L mug of micro brew.  There is also a Starbucks (obviously), and a steakhouse which serves a 500RMB (US$ 73) porterhouse, which might not seem like all that much, but if you know anything about Shanghai, you’ll know of the various Brazilian BBQ spots that serve all-you-can-eat steaks for 20% of the price. 
But then again, who cares when the company is paying. 

I also stumbled upon a park located just east of Xintiandi, called Taipingqiao.

And once again I must apologize for my slow posting… seems the Great Firewall of China struck again, taking out the proxy I was using before to access this blog.  Now I am forced to use an alternative, UltraSurf, which is available for free here. 

Yup, that’s right, Mr. Timothy has been in China for 6 months now!
I will post new images in the upcoming days… I apologize for the lack of posts, but  am still getting over an intense sickness I aquired at the end of last week (wh.

In the meantime, check out this dope animation commissioned by the China Environment Protection Foundation and directed by Li Hailong.  Woohoo, Chinamation!

Cheers!