Shanghai Paradise
When I was a little girl,I always dreamt about flying to Shanghai.I would fly high,as high as the Oriental Pearl Tower,and I would live at the attic of that tower,to look from my window,and to wait for my prince to walk to me,to talk my hand,and ask me to be his sweetheart.
What a beautiful fantasy it was!Yet,that fantasy was so far way.I was born at a little village at the Southern China.No matter rain or shine,my daddy and mom were busy at the farmland everyday; my elder brother was fighting with a group of village wild boys with unkempt hair and dirty finger nails; and the only friend I had was called Sandy with freckles over her tan tiny face and knew nothing but asking her grandma for more candy.
Life was quiet and relaxing at our village.The villagers pray for more children and more harvest and let the life be quiet and sweet ever after.
I had been fighting and having fun with those wild boys and girls until one day my primary school teacher gave me a book with the picture of Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower on it.My eyes were wide with excitement.The top of the Oriental Pearl Tower was shinning its gorgeous light through the dark sky,and it cast magic spell over the city.
“Miss,where is this place?Is that a paradise?”
“ haha,Sussi,That is Shanghai,a city in the east of China.”
“Can I go there?I want to live that this shining tower.”
“Yeah,after you grow up…” My teacher patted me lovingly on my shoulder and went back to our homework.She never knew that she planted a seed,a seed of hope,in that little girl’s heart.
Yes,after I grow up,I would turn into a princess and live in my shining attic.
The Bund:The Bund in Daylight
If you are up early enough,you will see Chinese people using the concrete walkway that runs alongside the river,not just for walking on,but to practice whatever form of art that they are into,before they go off to work.You may see anything from ballroom dancing,rollerskate dancing,fan dancing etc.You are quite welcome to join in.Most groups had a "master" who led the group.All you had to do was follow their movements.I never had the guts to do so but saw a few foreigners who did just that.