Have bike, will deliver.

If you are ready with the camera you can catch all kinds of interesting photos in Shanghai.  I really like the bike delivery people.  The things they can pile onto their bike is cause for wonder.  I rarely have my camera out in time but the other day I got quite lucky.  A water delivery guy and a mirror delivery pair!

You may have noticed the beautiful leafy streets in these photos.  This the one of the prettiest parts of Shanghai called the French Concession.  The weather is perfect right now, sunny, 86F, with a nice breeze.  Summer will be here in a week or two and that means hot humid weather for about 4 months.  I will be out and about enjoying the good weather while it lasts.

Breast masseurs stir up fuss.......it was in the newspaper, really.

The newspaper is just full of crazy articles and here is one that is just too funny!  Enjoy!


A HOUSEHOLD services company training men to offer nursing mothers breast massages to boost their milk secretion has stirred up a big controversy among Shanghai residents.


Xia Jun, CEO of the household service company, told Shanghai Daily he has spent the past three months taking classes to receive official qualification as a breast massage tutor. He said he was issued a certificate from the China Employment Training Technical Instruction Center.

Xia said he now will train his employees, both female and male, to massage the breasts of nursing mothers in a "scientific way."

He said he would help his employees get official qualifications from the center as professional breast masseurs and masseuses.
Doctors at major hospitals in the city, however, said the service is not necessary.

A doctor surnamed Hou with Shanghai No. 1 Maternity and Children's Health Hospital told Shanghai Daily that young mothers can boost their milk supply themselves simply by breast feeding their babies at certain frquency.

Meanwhile, Xia said many breast masseuses work without any qualifications and that more women are interested in breast feeding in the wake of baby formula scandals in which banned substances such as melamine sickened hundreds of thousands of infants.

Many residents said they don't think new moms, or their husbands, would allow a strange man to massage their breasts when they can hire a woman.

"It's unbelievable. What kind of husband would allow another man to massage his wife's breasts?" asked 24-year-old resident Xu Boshi. "I'd rather study the skills and do it myself."
Other expressed doubt about the "professional and scientific skills." The training course only takes 10 to 18 days.

Xia said the future of male breast masseurs depends on society's tolerance, but compared it to male gynecologists and obstetricians.
The service costs 300 yuan (US$46) to 500 yuan an hour.

Dangerous parasite discovered in imported eels

Thank goodness we don't eels.......however,

A PARASITE that can cause epilepsy and lead to paralysis has been found in batches of eels imported from Indonesia and the Philippines, Shanghai authorities said yesterday.


The city is to urge state-level authorities to ban eel imports from the two countries to ensure food safety.

It was the first time the parasite, "gnathostoma spinigerum," had been found in China, officials with the Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau said.

The bureau tested 26 samples of eels imported from Indonesia, and the parasite was found in 14 samples. It was also found in nine samples from Philippines. The parasite lives in the eels' flesh and internal organs.
"We found that the parasite belongs to the breeds which are harmful to health," said Li Chunyang, an official with the bureau.

The parasite can affect both livestock and humans. It is spread through food, by contact with infected animals and can be passed from mothers to their new-born babies, officials said.

"Infections of the parasite are not common in China," Li said. "Up to now, fewer than 50 cases have been reported."

Bureau officials said there was a large market for eels in China and imported products were popular.

The country also produces eels for consumption, but it has become widely known that many raisers use birth control medication to accelerate their growth.

Industry insiders said the use of prophylactics had become the prevailing practice in the raising of eels in China, thus long and large eels had become less popular as more consumers found out how they were being raised.

This has led to increased demand for the imported variety.

But imported eels have also raised safety concerns. At the end of 2006, Shenzhen entry-exit inspection authorities found green and violet crystal residue in eels. The residue, from drugs used to kill parasites, were believed to be carcinogenic.

The Shanghai bureau said it was strengthening inspection of imported eels, and were suggesting that all ports in the country do the same.

"We hope that the state authorities can suspend the approval of eel imports for some time," said Li.

I ate baby eels once, not knowing what it was, I thought it was chopped eggplant as the shape was similar and it was covered in a brown tasty sauce.  After the second bite I realized what it was and stopped eating it, there was a bit of a strange flavor, that at first was covered by the sauce.

The BBQ - Shanghai Style

We live in a big big city, 22 million residents, 988 skyscrapers, and 125 parks.  In most of these parks (95%) it is forbidden to sit on the grass, you certainly cannot bring a BBQ, no frisbee or ball playing.  You can do Tai Chi, fan dancing, line dancing, singing, playing an instrument and playing cards are all acceptable.  That is if you can find an unoccupied bench or you can put one of your folding stools on the walking paths or you just dance on the walking path.  And yes that would mean you are in the way. Oh, riding your bike through the park is fine too. And yes you are in the way when you ride your bike trying to get around ALL THE PEOPLE.

I live in a lovely building with it's own roof top terrace, OK 8th floor terrace.  We have a play ground in one corner, a driving range, basketball court, a strip of grass with lawn chairs to sun yourself, a pool with a pool bar.  Pool bar only open May 10 - Sept.1, which I think is strange as it belongs to the hotel part of the complex not the serviced apartment division.  But they serve my favorite, watermelon juice, unfortunately at Ritz Carlton Hotel prices.  But I digress....

The upper part of the terrace has tables and chairs and two BBQ's.  You can reserve them and have parties, or just have a nice BBQ with your family.  Our good friend Julian decided to have take advantage of the warming weather, not too hot, not too cool and invite friends out for a BBQ.  Julian supplied the meats and drinks and everyone else either brought a salad or dessert.  Sort of pot luck BBQ.

Here is our chef, Julian! He grilled up a storm!  BBQ chicken, sausages, ribs and a lamb shoulder!

The party started at 4pm and lasted well into the evening.

After we had finished eating we pulled our chairs around and had a lovely chat about living in Shanghai as expats.  Lots of funny stories were told.

Lots of left overs.  The metal bowl on the left side of the picture is my cous cous salad with feta, tomato, cucumber, onion and parsley with a lemon dressing.   It was very yummy! The bowl was full when I brought it, I suppose it was enjoyed as two thirds are gone.

And that's how it's done Shanghai style!

Dressing for class.

Some of the kids like to dress to express themselves.  Since they spent their high school, middle school and elementary school years in uniform they are thrilled to have the chance to wear what they like.  This young lady in the green skirt is unusally tall even by western standards.   Add to her height, these very high heels.  I thought the contrast of her friend was really nice.  Sweatpants and sneakers next to the 'fashionista'.