Shanghai, China
June 10, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

On a Thursday afternoon, the grounds of the Expo 2010 Shanghai China are teeming with visitors.  The waiting time to visit the pavilions is from one to four hours.  I content myself to photographing the exteriors of the pavilions, elevated platforms and walkways.

Many of the pavilion exteriors are creative and inviting.  When I do wait for a reasonable length of time, I must admit that I was mostly disappointed with the exhibits.  I was expecting innovation and a look into the future of city life.  Instead I saw posters, slide shows and shops selling everything from mass-produced trinkets to hand-woven rugs.  Most of the exhibitors were not ambitious in their presentations.  And none of them adhered to the theme of the Expo: “ Better City, Better Life.”

The best parts of the Expo were the “people scenes.”  The cheerful children were cooperative and patient.  The teenagers were well behaved and friendly.   Many adults were assisting older adults.  Everyone was excited and enthusiastic and seemed to be proud that Shanghai and China was staging such a massive and impressive event.  Eventually, everyone takes a break with a picnic or with a deck of playing cards or with a nap.
Read more »

Location

Shanghai
China
 
June 13, 2010
 
Dear Family and Friends,

Even with its pompous prose, sometimes, sometimes my guide book provides a colorful description to an eager traveler:

Yuyuan Gardens & Bazaar:  "With its shaded alcoves, glittering pools churning with carp, pavilions, pines sprouting wistfully from rockeries, whispering bamboo, jasmine clumps, stony recesses and roving packs of tourists, these gardens are one of Shanghai's premier sights - but weekends can be overpoweringly crowded." *

Read more »

Location

July 5, 2010

Back in Shanghai, I returned to the World Expo 2010 to try to find something of interest.  The exhibits I chose during my initial visit last month were crowded and uninspiring.  The international pavilions were mostly public relations ads to promote tourism.  I didn't see any that followed the theme, "Better City - Better Life."

Someone I met on the grounds recommended the Urban Pavilion of Footprint, and I was so glad that I went.  On display in this enormous multi-floor pavilion were dioramas and descriptions of many of the major cities and civilizations, past and present. "The concept and design for the Urban Pavilion of Footprint were contributed by the Shanghai Museum. The pavilion portrays the growth of the cities as a decisive factor for human progress over the ages." My favorite was the display of art and gold sculpture from Tibet.

Read more »

Location

This essay will be published in To Shangahi with Love - ThingsAsian Press.

"When everything seemed hopeless, there was an open door.  I don't want anyone to forget where that door was.  That is why the story needs to be told.  Soon there won't be anyone around to remember how we survived against all odds."   Shanghai Refugee

                                          "To Shanghai with Love"

By Jan Polatschek and Cheng Na Dai (Daisy)

Jan writes:

The Goldstaub Family loves Shanghai.  The Blumenthal Family loves Shanghai.  The Rossback and Zysman and Rosenfeld Families love Shanghai.  These European Jewish families along with thousands of others owe their lives to the government of China and to the people of Shanghai.  When they visit China, they come to Shanghai with love.

Read more »

Location