Thank you for reading another entry about my life in Shanghai! I hope you’re continuing to enjoy my adventures! If you haven’t already, please subscribe and let me know! To subscribe, all you have to do is enter your name and e-mail on the right side of the page. Once subscribed, you’ll receive an e-mail with each new post. Also, if you’re curious about anything I’ve posted on this or prior entries, let me know by commenting on the blog. You can find instructions on the “To Comment” page.
Now, on to this week’s adventures!
Life in Shanghai!
In terms of Astronomy, this was a fairly normal week. The start of my week featured skype meetings with a few of my DES collaborators in the US, so at times it felt like I spent all day and night working, but at least they weren’t midnight telecons! I also began working on my SJTU project, measuring the Luminosity function of galaxy groups and clusters in the Yang group catalog (which is a low redshift group finder). While I haven’t made tons of progress yet, it’s been an interesting experience jumping in to a new project. This is the first time I’ve done that since I started working with Prof. Chris Miller at Michigan 4.5 years ago.
As many of you know, I try to walk everywhere (~ within 2 miles). So, combined with my daily commute I saw more cool Chinese advertisements, sculptures, and flowers! Maybe its because this is my first experience living in a mega city (other than my summer in NYC), but it’s amazing how there is so much to see around every corner!
This weekend, I visited the popular shopping district of Tianzifang, an arts and crafts area located in the French Concession, about 1 mile from where I live. While my photos don’t show the full hectic nature of Tianzifang, this reminded a lot of the shuk in Jerusalem. It’s a winding pathway of many vendors (including more than 1 of everything) selling different toys, jewelry, silk clothing, tea, food, and artistic works! It was overwhelming. Once I bought gifts for my parents and brother, I had to immediately escape. If I hadn’t, I probably wouldn’t have any money left! 🙂
Pandas! 
A teahouse
Once I left Tianzifang, I went to visit the Jade Buddha Temple. So, between this and Tianzifang, I experienced polar opposites within a matter of hours. This is the fourth Buddhist temple I’ve visited in Shanghai. These are active temples with monks who live and pray at the temples. There were many visitors who came to present offerings and make personal prayers to different deities. By visiting so many of these temples, I now recognize a lot of the different Buddhist motifs. As you can see, this temple is located right in the city. You can see skyscrapers peaking out behind the pagodas. It’s a really stark juxtaposition of the new and old.
The monky who greeted me at the Temple! 
In the heart of the city! 
While each of the temples features similar statues and aesthetics, what makes this temple unique are the two Jade Buddhas. However, I only saw one. I learned about the second, which you have to pay to view and I didn’t see signs for, afterward, so I’ll have to come back for another visit. Additionally, there is a magnificent and beautiful marble reclining Buddha! This was the most breathtaking Buddha that I have seen so far in my time in Shanghai. When I first saw it, I thought that it was pure white. However, once I moved closer, I was able to see all the intricate colors of the gorgeous marble! It also had an ornate box holding it!
For those of you who are interested in my running habits. It’s still warm (at least I think that the 40s and low-50s is warm for December). So, I went for a 4.5 run on Sunday morning. However, next week it will be in the 50s-60s, so I’m already planning at least one long run!
Food in Shanghai!
I’ve continued my exploration of vegan/vegetarian food in Shanghai! Additionally, while at a grocery store, I saw these weird looking soda bottles, with a plastic bottom and aluminum (soda can) lids. Is this a Chinese thing or am I just unaware of new trends?
In terms of food, I tried a delicious dish or seitan with mushrooms and peppers as well as a sweet fruity sauce and a wonton (filled with mushrooms and greens) soup! I still haven’t had a bad meal at any of these restaurants! I’m also amazed by the variety of the food at each restaurant! There’s so many awesome things I still haven’t tried.
Jewish Life in Shanghai!
This weekend featured a lot of different Jewish activities. On Friday, I joined Kehilat Shanghai for Shabbat services and dinner. After services, one of the community members gave a fascinating talk about the history of Jews in Shanghai. Specifically, he focused on the personal stories of three different Jews who grew up in Shanghai. One was from a Sephardic family (who had moved from Iraq to Shanghai in the late 1800s), another was from a Russian Jewish family that escaped the pogroms by fleeing to Shanghai, and the final one came from a family that had fled the Holocaust. Making this more unique, the speaker contacted each of these people to hear their experiences first hand! It was very interesting hearing about these prior waves of Jewish immigrants to Shanghai! This is one area I would love to learn more about during my time here!
On Sunday, I went to the Channukkah fair at one of the three Shanghai Chabad houses. This was my first time going to one of the Chabad’s. I found the community to be very welcoming! I met two of the Rabbi’s and some of the community members (many of them came from different parts of New York City). I also was able to pick up Channukkah candles. In Shanghai, the Chabad’s legally operate as Kosher restaurants and stores, so I know where I’ll be going to get matzah for Passover, too!
I then ended Sunday afternoon enjoying the bagel brunch at the Moishe House. Now that I know many of the regular attendees it’s been a really nice seeing familiar faces outside of work and starting to become friends with people from different countries who are working in many different fields!
While each of these Jewish communities offer unique and diverse experiences (there is overlap in attendees). I’m really glad they all exist. It’s been a wonderful way for me to meet people, make friends, and get comfortable in my new home!
I hope you enjoyed experiencing my visit to the Jade Buddha Temple! This should be another normal research work. I look forward to sharing my adventures with you next week! If you have and questions/comments, let me know!
Until next week!
In peace,
Jesse
Hi Jesse, that temple looks amazing. Do you know why you have to pay to see the second Buddha? Also, are these all different sects of Buddhism? I’m more familiar with the Japanese forms, but I assume there is a similar diversity of Buddhism amongst Chinese people. I’m glad to hear your research is off to a good start. Starting a brand new project is something I’m looking forward to when I become a postdoc. Also, the giraffe’s were super cute and the food looks wonderful. I’ve never seen cans like that before. It seems counterintuitive since aluminum is recyclable.
Hi Emmet! Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures of the Temple and the food! I don’t know why I had to pay to see the other Buddha? The website I found said it is covered with a lot of jewels, so maybe that’s why. I hadn’t thought about them being different sects of buddhism. So, I’ll have to look into that. I know that certain temples are dedicated to different Buddhas and other deities, so that may be why. I thought of you when I saw the Giraffes! I agree about the bottle/cans. I had the same thought! 🙂
Hi, Jesse. Thank you for another great post again this week. It is fascinating to see sculptures of “cute” giraffes and pandas alongside such elegant figures like the reclining marble Buddha! I was fascinated to learn about the presentation you attended on the Jews finding refuge in Shanghai through the ages–from Iraq, Russia (to escape the pograms), and another fleeing the Holocaust. Do you know where the family came from? Perhaps Poland or Germany? I am also delighted to hear you are making friends in the Jewish community of Shanghai and that your work in Astronomy is going so well. As always, I look forward to next week’s blog post. Love, Mom
Hi Mom! I’m glad you enjoyed all the contrasting pictures from this week. Any time I see pandas and giraffes, I have to take photos. 🙂 I believe that the person who fled during the Holocaust was from Germany, but I’m not 100% sure. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Wow what amazing pictures!!!! I’m glad you’re able to run. Today during my run (in Ann Arbor) it started snowing!!! I don’t know if you’ll see any snow this year?
Thanks Juliette! It’s been really nice (and kind of weird) being able to not have to bundle up when I go for a run! 🙂 I’m glad that you’re still able to run in Ann Arbor and it hasn’t been cold enough to keep you inside. I don’t know if I’ll see any snow (at least not in Shanghai). My colleagues say that Shanghai does occasionally get snow, but it usually doesn’t last long.