One of our outings during Mom’s visit was to Shanghai’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Isaac and I were itching to go and take in all the animation eye-candy featured in their PIXAR exhibit (ah-mazing, by the way!). Unfortunately, we were unable to photograph anything inside the museum, but we did come across plenty of interesting sights in the surrounding park. I can’t get enough of the beautiful blue skies we’ve had this fall…
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Stopped into Starbucks for a little pre-museum coffee break…
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A stray kitty was lurking in the bushes near our table, so I had to try and befriend him! When he didn’t respond to my “here, kitty kitties” and kissy sounds, Mom suggested that perhaps he didn’t understand English. Of course! So, I put our handy translator app to good use. Sadly, my efforts didn’t work. Maybe the kitty didn’t understand Mandarin either….jpg "mocablog07")
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Mine! Mine!.jpg "mocablog09")
In the lush park surrounding the museum we happened upon several groups of Chinese men playing cards. I suspect these men congregate at these concrete tables regularly to gamble and fling friendly insults. Onlookers flocked to the players like flies to honey, and they huddled around, offering their advice and taking part in some good-natured ribbing. The men kept their money close, and their lighters closer, as they light up one cigarette after another, fueling hazy halos of smoke hovering about their heads.
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These friendly fellows happened to be playing 13, one of our favorite games to play when we’re backpacking..jpg "mocablog11")
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It was a treat to watch the interactions between these men, and we hope to have more authentic experiences like this in the future.
Now, to infinity, and beyond!!!.jpg "mocablog24")
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After having our socks completely knocked off by the incredible artistic animation talent at the PIXAR museum, we made our way to the Hongqiao Pearl Market. .jpg "mocablog26")
We didn’t take any photos within the market, but we did take a few videos of one of the women stringing and knotting a pearl necklace. It’s unbelievable how quickly they work! We watched her create an entire necklace (with knots between every pearl) in under 10 minutes!
