SHANGHAI TO SUZHOU

In preparation for creating a 200K ride for the Randonneurs of China (ROCn), I decided to bike from Zhudi Town to Suzhou, about 40 miles away.

Depressing.

Village after village of squalor and garbage everywhere.

Why didn't I take photos? I don't know. Maybe I was just in one of those blue funks because I just can't seem to find a "nice" place to cycle.

So I said to myself: "Self. Take some photos. You promised yourself you'd do that every day and you're failing miserably.".

These first three were of "River Front" views but what got to me was how hard it must be for these folks to eek out a living. Not exactly beach front property.

LEFT CLICK TO ENLARGE ANY PHOTO










Other images along the way:
Caution Sign. But for what? Ummm, watch out there's a house with a big shade tree ahead???

LU WAN WALKING TOUR

 

A walking tour.   One of these days I'm going to do one in New York City again where a tour guide said: "Take a walking tour, but only look up."  You'd be surprised at what you see. 

Got a late start but from one of the guide books decided to head down to Fuxing Park and then to Sun Yat Sen's residence and museum. I've got to go back to Fuxing park and do a complete photo essay. We were short on time, so it was a dash through the park to get to the right street exit. Just some quick glimpses of life in Fuxing (Foo Shing) park.





Figures that the person standing in front the Marx & Engels statue would be wearing a "red" coat.

Leaving the park was a set of rules. Rule 2 was pretty blunt

Heading to Sun Yat Sen's residence I came across a photoshoot. It become photographer taking pics of photographer taking pics of photographer......



The guide book describes Sun Yat Sen as the equivalent of the U.S. elder statesmen, Benjamin Franklin. Sun counseled young hotheads in his circle--with the tragic difference that Sun's circle was divided. The museum had an excellent collection of personal and political mementos, with enough english sub titles to breach the language gap. Take some time and read about Sun Yat Sen, a fascinating political figure in the history of China. Right down the street was the residence of Zhou Enlai.



Too soon the sun disappeared, literally.

Moved Back Again

Finally BLOGGER figured out ze problema. So I'll now be posting back here. Hmm.. you could get caught in a BLOG LOOP. This one sends you to GEOcities which sends ou back to BLOGGER which.......