Monday, January 07, 2013

The Disappearing Lanes of Shanghai


Wow, I just came across this while doing administrative work.  I believe I wrote it on February 24, 2009.











one family would live in one unit with 12 people - they're being bought out for 350,000USD per person plus full ownership of new housing. wife gets pregnant and whoop! 13 people. they got two 2-bed 2-bath apartments with modern kitchens and laughed all the way to the bank.

lovely architecture, historic from the 1920s. when asked about any sadness or regret in tearing it down, he replied that this history is not so old for China and is easily duplicated. meanwhile, these people get a nice, new home and the developers make loads of money. everyone is laughing.

chinese medicine shop that has been in the same place for 100 years will be torn down soon. people go to the chinese clinic across the street and then come over with their prescription, often for a pack of herbs that they are to drink every day. we saw dried lizards and seahorses, birds nests and worms, plenty of mushrooms, and Tiger Balm - an apparent fix for nearly any ailment. as useful as a liberal arts degree. Actually, according to the website this is simply a topical analgesic which could certainly be described as fixing many problems.



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