May-May's Diary
Entry for January 05, 1998
Temperatures in Shanghai have finally been getting down to levels that remind us of what winter used to be like in this city, before global warming -- or the end of the last Ice Age, take your choice -- just about killed the concept of a snowy Shanghai. It's a well known fact that apartments in northern China are built with winter in mind, and apartments in southern China with summer in mind. The dividing line is the Yangtse River, and we all know which side of the river Shanghai is on.
A new hairdressing place in Magnolia Plaza on the corner of Dapu Lu and Zhaojiabang Lu - Golden Design USA Ltd, looks set to grab a lot of business at the trendy end of the market. It's run by Chinese olympic swimmer Yang Wenyi, whose name alone is enough to create interest. Expect to see super-tall women and ulta-fit guys. But we guess you and I can go too . . . .
The Friction Band, one of the best Filipino bands we've seen in Shanghai, is returning from January 15, playing at the Graffiti Bar in the Yangtze New World Hotel . . . .
The Huating Lu Market, beloved by foreign residents with an eye for a bargain, is getting better than ever, with more stalls, more stuff and cheaper prices. Take a stroll down starting at the KFC on Huaihai Lu, next to the Maison Mode department store, where prices provide an interesting juxtaposition to the Huating action.
The Chinese revolutionary opera, "The Red Detachment of Women", presented by the National Ballet of China at Shanghai's glittering new Grand Theatre, is highly spoken of. Three nights on -- Jan 12-14. Books tickets on 6372-8701. Some of the most heroic posturing you'll ever see, and the seats in the theatre will of course get you well in the mood color-wise.
Top local movie at the moment -- Bu Jian Bu San. Called Be There or Be Square in English, it's playing at a whole bunch of major cinemas around town including the Cathay on the Huaihai Lu/Maoming Lu intersection, and with English sub-titles at the Golden Cinema Haixing at Haixing Plaza -- on Xujiahui Lu near Ruijin Lu.
Business at George V, the three-tiered bar opposite the American consulate on Urumqi Nan Lu is finally picking up nicely. It's one of the warmest places in town -- in both of atmosphere and temperature -- and manager Chad Bagley has possibly the best CD collection in town. A favorite spin at the moment is Elvis Presley singing the Peggy Lee classic "Fever".
"Let me check the horoscope," said Constant Reader Hank. "Let's see. Libra ... Guard your wallet. Damn! I just lost my wallet! That's uncanny. Who is this guy Lao Zhang?" Shanghai's top astrologer, that's who. The future is out there . . . . .
Byeeeee!!!
|
