Xujiahui Park Revisited (3/26/2012)

Monday, March 26, 2012

The housekeeping crew has changed their times a bit, so that they are not finished when I am finished in the gym. So I have taken some walks in the neighborhood

Xujiahui Park has some new signs:

Magnolia buds:

An outbuilding for storage:

The park inculdes a "Cultural Relic" of which Shanghai has thousands:

The doors of the former office of the Asia-Pacific headquarters of Pathé Orient:

Pathé was a recording studio (now British recording label EMI), and considered the cradle of the China recording industry.
The building was constructed in 1921 of brick and wood:

It was called "La Villa Rouge."
The back of the villa:

The park even had new trash cans:

With a special opening for batteries.
Sculpture titled "New Generation:"

Made by an American sculptor, Manuel Carbonell, in 1988, and placed here in 2007.
A century-old camphor tree:

Note the pair of sword dancers practicing to the left.
Stepping stones:

Elevated walkway:

Magnolias:

Over on Hengshan Road, the New Hengshan Cinema:

Remodeled in 2010 in "fake Art deco-style," called fako.

Preschoolers:

Another sculpture with tai ji-er:

Thursday, March 29, 2012
Hengshan Road, fake door:

This time, Hengshan Park:

This park was originally opened in 1926 to foreigners only.

Good thing these ladies are not stepping on the grass:

Unidentified bird:

Thanks to Bruno, I have identified the Pycnonotus sinensis/Light-vented or Chinese Bulbul. Fairly common, but they never stay still, except to hover a bit to catch insects. Amazing to watch.
Paper bushes:

Bust of Shen Junru:

He was the first President of the Supreme People's Court in China (1949-1954).
On Wanping Road, a recycler takes a siesta:

While a street cleaner has her siesta:

Interesting mailbox:

On Huaihai Road, the You Huang Li villa:

Built in the 1930s, this wood and brick building was part of the residence of the French Consul.
Ferguson Lane Number 378:

A new construction...
to add to Ferguson Lane Number 376:

Ferguson Lane is a small lane of galleries and cafes:

Bicycles are often parked on the sidewalk in areas marked with white painted lines, and usually an attendant is there to collect money.

This one is on her cell phone: