Author Archives: d4vid

In the tunnels connecting the subway stations under People’s Square, there’s this weird tunnel that’s decked out to look like Shanghai in the 1930s.

After multiple attempts, the kung fu supply store was finally open!  Turns out it was a single, tiny room full of tassels and kung fu school uniforms.  Utterly underwhelming.

I didn’t think I’d see another one before I left Shanghai, but I did!  A five star taxi driver!  And it was a woman!

I’m feeling old.  Or, more precisely, I feel younger than the age I actually am and the body I now somehow inhabit. When Gene Hackman was around the age I am now, he was in The French Connection.  When Bill … Continue reading →

Back at the Langham.  One last time.

Fence.  Train tracks.  Canal.  Crumbling buildings.  China.

 First blossoms of Spring.  Time to go home.

Having hiked up and over the hill to the Yellow Dragon Cave, I discovered that the northern approach was a simple, tree-lined path from the road. All that exercise just to get fat shamed by this sign. Joke’s on them, … Continue reading →