I’m back from Guangzhou and pleased to report that I speak pretty darn good English. I will not know the results of my exam for two weeks, but I’m sure I did okay.

This was my first trip to Guangzhou, and I only saw a tiny little corner of the city, but I think, in my limited experience, that is one of the nicest corners. I stayed at a hotel on the north bank of the Pearl River, within walking distance of Shamian Island, a sandbar really, that was originally given over to the foreign colonialists in Guangzhou. Now it is pretty much taken over by American couples and their newly adopted Chinese babies. (The US Consulate that processes the children’s residence visas used to be located there, and since the area is very peaceful it is still popular.)

The island feels unlike any other place I have been in China. I’m sure it is unlike much of the rest of Guangzhou. The island is like a giant clean lung. While the temperatures in the city soar to a muggy 35C, the island is shady and cooler. The colonial style buildings add to the romance. It’s a bit like New Orleans’ Garden District.

The island is at its best early in the evening, when the local residents come out to the central park for dancing, tai chi, badminton, and chit-chat with their neighbors.

I have a new gallery feature here on the blog. Just click on a thumbnail to go to a larger photo with description and buttons for clicking through all photos.

 

Alternatively, you can see all photos on my SmugMug Guangzhou gallery.