Traipsing Through the Rainforest

As you walk through evergreens shrouded in club moss and witness elk munching on the low-lying branches of century-old trees, the Hoh Rainforest may feel otherworldly. Avatar or Tolkien’s Middle Earth come to mind. Within the diverse patchwork of Olympic National Park’s ecosystems, the Hoh Rainforest is recognized as a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site. Annual precipitation ranges from 140 to 167 inches. The competitive environment is abundant with epiphytes, multi-layered canopies, and undergrowth that ensures the covering of every square inch with vegetation (with the exception of human trampling evidenced by the picture above).

Roosevelt Elk Herd

On our way into the park we spotted a wilk herd of Roosevelt Elk.

Nurse Log

I was previously unaware of the nurse log phenomenon. As a fallen log in the Hoh decays over a span of up to 300 years, the weight of living organic matter actually increases with time. Seedlings vie for space on the log, their roots grow around the log, and a row of trees results, as if planted by humans. In the image above, for instance, three sitka spruce are perched on the remains of a nurse log. Eventually, when the nurse log completely decays, a colonnade of trees will remain.

Ranger Walk

We attended a guided hike led by a ranger knowledgeable of every species we spotted. Prevalent tree species include Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Big Leaf Maple, and Vine Maple.

Hoh Rain Forest

Old City Food Court - Me

The Old City of Shanghai is bordered by street shops selling all sorts of cheap items ranging from silk pajamas to imitation watches and chopsticks made of bone. At the center lies a giant “food court” with popular Shanghainese delicacies. There are no seats or napkins. The hundreds of visitors all stand and eat together ravenously.

Candied Fruit on a Stick

Candied fruit on a stick is a popular snack sold throughout the city. I still haven’t figured out what the red fruit is, though it tastes like an overripe apple with big seeds.

The wind managed to die before I could film these red lanterns on the crooked walkway to the Yuyuan Garden Palace.

Shanghai Railway Station

Sunday morning, I was excited to take a train to a neighboring water town, Suzhou. Unfortunately, assuming that I understood the woman helping me with the Chinese ticket machines, this weekend the trains were so busy that there was only one later train available. After having waited in line for a half hour and realizing that more waiting was to come, I decided to take pictures of the lines and then leave for a more accessible tourist activity.

Shanghai Railway Station

The Shanghai Railway Station is the hub for all trains passing through the city and is by far the most crowded place I’ve seen here.

Shanghai Railway Station

Shanghai World Expo Gumbies mark the train waiting lines.

]]> http://simmywillemann.com/2010/01/the-chinese-take-on-american-fast-food/feed/ 0 http://simmywillemann.com/2010/01/jinling-lu/ http://simmywillemann.com/2010/01/jinling-lu/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:26:40 +0000 simmywillemann http://simmyinshanghai.edublogs.org/?p=57 more »]]> Jinling Lu, my favorite road, is lined with music shops. Below, a man plays the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument also known as the Chinese violin.

Music Shop, Jinling Lu

Jackie, the manager of a restaurant on Jinling Lu that I happened to stop at the day after the place opened, showed me the way to this store and served as my interpreter. I was amazed at the quality of their Shanghainese factory-made violins. After playing for a few minutes, I asked them if anyone there could give me lessons. There was actually an elementary Suzuki student practicing with an old teacher in the back. They told me that I didn’t need lessons, so I asked them how I could learn Chinese Classical music. I was disappointed that they could only recommend bookstores for sheet music.

I then picked up the erhu, which was very difficult to play, especially considering there are only 2 strings. The angle at which you hold the body and bow is key. I’ve been inquiring about erhu lessons and hope to buy one to bring back to the States.

Videos:

My apologies that the erhu cannot be heard too clearly over the background music of the practicing Suzuki violin student. Book 3 of the method, I think?

Part I – Erhu player – Part I

Part II – Erhu player – Part II

Times Square, Pudong

The commercial Christmas spirit is very much alive in Shanghai.

Christmas in the Shopping Mall

American Santa stickers adorn almost every building or shop of prominence in the Pudong Financial District. Above, the Christmas tree is brilliantly celebrated in a shopping mall.

Commercial Christmas Tree, Pudong

Dongchang Rd, Line 2 (my station)

As a New Yorker, I have a preference for the NYC Transit Subways. However, as an English-speaker, I find it much easier to navigate the Shanghai subway system. Hardly a soul you encounter on the street may speak English, but all the signs are subtitled in English and the station design is superior to anything I have seen in the United States.

When I first rode the subway, Mei asked me to try calling her. “Is there reception in the subway?” I asked. “Of course,” she said to my surprise. Occasionally, you’ll hear a loud phone conversation, but the Shanghainese are usually pretty good about not using cell phones excessively in small public spaces. Thank goodness there’s no reception in the NYC subways. There are also television screens in each car.

No Jumping Sign

Pushing is necessary etiquette to depart the subway train. It’s almost dangerous to stand near the doors if you’re not leaving at the next station.

Subway Turnstile

The Shanghai subway operates much like D.C.’s in that you have to swipe on your way in and out. The card scanners are so good here that I can leave my card in my wallet, quickly slide my wallet over the large green circle pictured above, and proceed to move through the turnstile. No fumbling for metrocards in purses required.

Subway Lanes

The people on the left side are within the subway system; on the right side, they’ve left or are entering. The signs all have large numbers and are extremely clear.

Subway Fence & Sign

Notice the height of the fence, the barrier between those in the subway and those about to enter. It’s between waist and shoulder height. New Yorkers would hop it in a second.

Dim Sum Restaurant - Me

Dim Sum Restaurant - Mei

Pigeon

]]> http://simmywillemann.com/2010/01/28/feed/ 0 http://simmywillemann.com/2010/01/the-company-apartment-shanghai/ http://simmywillemann.com/2010/01/the-company-apartment-shanghai/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:49:27 +0000 simmywillemann http://simmyinshanghai.edublogs.org/?p=13 more »]]> 12.31.09 – Ying Mei, an HEC employee, picked me up from the airport and gave me keys to the apartment. Aside from the chill – space heaters are the only sources of heat – the apartment is very comfortable. Being on the 20th floor and in the Pu Dong financial district, I have a lovely view of the city.

My Bed

My Desk

Common Room

Common Room (2)

Dumplings with Shrimp