Chinatown | Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel

There’s Still a Bit of Old China Left in Glitzy New Shanghai

Published September 20, 2010 | By Barbara Weibel

Shanghai has a scintillating skyline, a thriving economy verging on capitalism, and a nouveau-riche citizenry that dresses in the most fashionable attire and owns the latest electronic gadgets, but to a large degree it has lost its Chinese soul. Except for the thousands of Chinese who choke its streets and sidewalks, Shanghai could be a large, modern city anywhere in the world. I was disappointed that it seemed to have turned its back on such a rich cultural heritage and was about to write it off as boring until I decided to wander around Old Shanghai one evening. All the shops and office buildings in tthis fairly new neighborhood were built to resemble traditional Chinese architecture, right down to intricate roof tiles and eaves decorated with fire breathing dragons. Neon-outlined buildings reflecting mirror images in surrounding lily ponds and hundreds of illuminated fish lanterns strung overhead were pretty, but I was more interested in the shrill whistles, clamorous clanging, and raucous laughter emanating from a small side alley.

Can’t view the above slide show of Old Shanghai, China? Click here.

Rounding the corner I discovered half a dozen customers sitting on stools with their foreheads plastered to a large wooden box, a replica of a Chinese peep show from the 19th century. Layang Pian, or Xiyang Jian as the art is more commonly known, roughly translates to “pulling foreign picture cards,” which Continue reading →

Posted in China travel |

Tagged Asia, attractions, blogsherpa, China, Chinatown, cultural travel, culture, Old Shanghai, Shanghai, Shopping, Travel |

6 Comments

Coach and Other Knockoffs in New York City

Published August 8, 2009 | By Barbara Weibel

My sister, Linda, and her daughter, Tori, had heard rumors. They were in New York City for a week to see some Broadway shows and do all the normal touristy things. But most of all, they were there to shop.Â According to rumor, diminutive Chinese women stand on the sidewalk in front of their shops in Chinatown, whispering furtively to passers by, offering to sell high-quality knockoffs of brand-name purses.

Hoping for the best, they walked around Chinatown, slowing their pace and listening very closely whenever they passed a shopkeeper lingering on the pavement. Once, twice, three times their hopes were dashed. Just another rumor with no substance, they decided. They were headed back to the hotel when Tori stopped in her tracks.

“Did you hear that?”she asked her mother? “I’m sure that woman whispered the word purse.” Continue reading →

Posted in Northeast US travel |

Tagged blogsherpa, Chinatown, Coach, handbags, knockoffs, Louis Vuitton, New York, New York City, purses, Shopping, Travel, USA |

25 Comments

Something Smelly In Singapore

Published June 27, 2007 | By Barbara Weibel

I finally found a part of Singapore that is not perfect. The direct path from the city center to Singapore’s Chinatown took me through the Chinese food sector. Here, although the streets were still litter free, the odor emanating from the markets and restaurants was a mixture of soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, and rotting meat. The smell was so rancid I nearly lost the contents of my stomach a couple of times. All Chinese markets have this smell in common and they have never before bothered me in quite this way. But ever since I unexpectedly found myself in a Chinese meat market in Vietnam, where rotting pigs heads sat on outdoor counter tops aside putrefying rows of stuffed sausages, I find I cannot tolerate the odor of rotting meat. I held my breath and passed through the area as quickly as possible, grateful not to have embarrassed myself by throwing up all over the sidewalk amidst the throngs of shoppers.

Singapore’s Chinatown

The heart of Chinatown is a long pedestrian mall that is accessed from an overpass leading from one of the city’s busier avenues. A brightly painted latticework canopy, supported by tall wooden beams, provides shade in the sizzling Singapore midday heat. Red and gold Chinese paper lanterns zig-zag overhead, while red, green and gold patio umbrellas line the sidewalks. Continue reading →

Posted in SE Asia travel |

Tagged Around The World, Chinatown, Free Spirit, photos, Singapore, Tanjong Pagar, Temple of the Buddha Tooth Relic, Travel |

Under The Spell Of Singapore

Published June 26, 2007 | By Barbara Weibel

I am enchanted. I am captivated. From the moment I arrived this city/state it felt like home – it was instantly familiar to me. No matter where I wander I seem to instinctively know where I am without having to look at a map. Alone I have walked its streets until midnight, carrying expensive photo equipment on my back without feeling the slightest apprehension. Singapore is one of those places where people come for a visit and stay forever. It is not hard to understand why:

Singapore is safe. There is virtually no crime because it is a small island state – criminals cannot easily escape. Plus, the penalties for crime are steep. They regularly carry out the death penalty for drug trafficking. Yet I haven’t see any police presence during my stay.
English is the first language in Singapore
Singapore is multi-cultural and diverse
The cost of living is reasonable and the quality of life is high
Singapore is modern, with all the same conveniences found in the United States
The sewers and toilets work and the city does not smell like most Asian cities
It tap water is safe to drink
The people of Singapore are exceedingly friendly and welcoming
The weather is warm year-round, without excessive heat most of the year
The residency and migration requirements are lenient
It is a highly moral and ethical society – everywhere there are signs that the population wants to do what is correct and right. There is no litter or graffiti in Singapore. There are no homeless. No houses of ill repute to which the government turns a blind eye. Even the schoolchildren, when interviewed on TV, are explaining how it is wrong to “bully” on the Internet.

With only one more day in Singapore I tried to cram as much into today as possible, beginning with a visit to the famous Sultan Mosque on Arab Street where, much to my surprise, I was permitted to go inside. Most mosques are off-limit to non-Muslims, but this one allows visitors to view the main worship hall from the entryway and corridor surrounding it.