After more than a week of being ill with a flu, not the new bird flu H7N9, I hope, and a big dose of antibiotics I felt able to venture out for a stroll. The weather was quite favorable, 24C/ 75F and sunny. Our first real spring day! I happened upon this building which looks a bit like it was, at one time, a government building and is located next to a new modern monolith of a government building. It looks like it may be an apartment building now due to the wash hanging out the left hand window. Although one just never knows, could be a multi-use building, offices and apartments. Since it would very rude to enter the building I just stood outside and did some imagining. I really like the severe art deco lines, very Orwellian in my mind.
Back to the street and down I ambled, noticing the small light green leaves beginning to unfurl and the romantic concrete balcony gracefully caressing the sidewalk.
I like wandering into these little compounds as they have a lovely strip of grass/greenery in the center courtyard for the residents to enjoy. I didn't take a picture because as I turned into the courtyard I was greeted by a severe looking woman who (rightly so) made me feel like I was trespassing. This building has a large center window but was originally a beautiful balcony, it was probably converted into a room in the 1950's or 60's when apartments were divided up and each room became the whole living space for a family of 5 to 8 persons. Even today in these old buildings the one room apartments are the norm.
The entrance to the compound has a disposal for both personal waste and everyday garbage. These old buildings have no indoor toilets, yup 2013 the incredibly modern city of Shanghai has a number of old compounds that are not connected to the city sewer system. This means that one uses a chamber pot to relieve themselves. This alley way has a cistern for night soil disposal, it's the metal door with the foot lever. The raised door is where the residents dispose of their daily garbage. It's not the best entrance I have ever encountered and I can only imagine the smell in the summertime.
Then my walk got really interesting!
I saw this bookstore, Xinhua. It is a chain store similar to Barnes and Noble except it's run by the government. Well, I suppose they are all run by the government. I have been in many of these stores and they are usually designed as a one floor operation with only Chinese books available. I was drawn in as in the front of the store I noticed some non book shopping, beautiful hand-soaps, small gift items and interesting tableware. Quite a nice gift shop actually. In the back of this area was a small group of people gathered, speaking with what looked to be an author who was holding a Q&A. It looked so non-communist, people having discussions, asking and answering questions. Very intriguing. Unfortunately I don't have nearly enough Chinese to figure out what book they were discussing or even understand the Q&A. It was great to see however.
A movie floor!!!
And what a concept!
You can come here, rent a movie and watch in the privacy of your own viewing room.
There are also some neat gift items you can purchase.
How it works: You head over to this kiosk and select one of 3,000 titles of mostly American Hollywood flicks. After you have made your selection the kiosk spits out a paper ticket with your selection and you hand it to the DVD runner. You than go to the counter to pay for your purchase and get your private screening room. Cost for viewing one movie, one time - 198 RMB = $31.50. 
While you are waiting for your DVD and possibly your room you can sit here and read or visit and have a snack. I was told that there are two types of rooms a regular room and a VIP room. There are always VIP rooms in China. As I was exploring this interesting venue I asked the DVD runner if I could have a look at one of the rooms. He told me that all the regular rooms were occupied but I could take a look at the VIP room. 
He took me down this elegant hallway and into the VIP room. (Sorry it's so blurry. Darn camera, I have dropped it so many times that sometimes it does not focus and as I was trying to snap the pictures quickly and not draw attention to myself. I did not have a chance to check the shot and then do it again.)
And here is the VIP room. Three comfortable chairs and a large TV screen.
The cost of the VIP room - for one viewing only, not the whole day - is 998 RMB = $158.50.
Wow! I was also informed that these chairs are massage chairs! Hence the steep cost!?!?
Now this concept of private screening rooms to watch a DVD has some merit at 198 RMB. Your home is too small to have a separate TV room so if you want to watch a movie you will be doing it in the living room and since you live with your parents and possibly grandparents you certainly have to have a consensus as to what will be watched. Plus they probably are not interested in the new modern American movies. In addition your date is not interested in sitting around with your grandparents and parents watching a movie. Children live with their parents until they get married so if you are a working person you have enough disposable income to get yourself a private room and have an enjoyable movie night, I mean 1hour and 40 minutes!
I was totally impressed with this facility but it occurred to me that Hollywood was not making any royalties on these movies and as this is a government run facility you realize that piracy is still considered an OK practice.
On the third floor was a lovely restaurant and wine bar, a place to go after the movie? It looked like a very relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere.
During the week you can dance from 1p - 4:30p for 40RMB or $6.40 but on Saturday and Sunday it will cost you double 80RMB or $12.70. You do get free tea or water.
