08 Mar Living in Kangqiao: A Photo Essay
Earlier this week, my friend Matt, a reporter for China Daily, asked me to provide some quotes for an article about life as an expat in Shanghai. I gave him my views on the easy transition and the similarities and contrasts from my time in Colombia. I thought nothing of it and assumed he would weave a line or two into his text; but apparently I was quoted heavily enough to warrant a picture in the paper. Not having any solo pictures of me galavanting through the streets of China, I scrambled to get something together and asked a coworker, Maja Kelly, to take some photos after work, around the neighborhood.
Our school is located in the outskirts of the city, shadowed by the iconic, futuristic high rises, in a district called Kangqiao in Pudong. It’s not as exciting of an area as Puxi (the other side of the river), but it’s quite photogenic, and provides a glimpse of what life used to be like in this thriving metropolis.
The walls are dilapidated and decaying, and homes are mostly made of crumbling cement. When you’re not behind a lens, the monotone gray can seem depressing. But somehow the drabness becomes the perfect backdrop for portraits, and to show the reality of life in Shanghai.
It was a fun afternoon; not because I love having my photo taken (cause I don’t), but because it caused quite the commotion among our Chinese neighbors, allowing for more interaction than usual. The Chinese people are wonderfully warm and friendly, but unfortunately their hard exterior and lack of English often times prevents tourists from seeing them in this light.
Thank you to Matt for inciting the need for this photo shoot, and to Maja for doing such a beautiful job capturing the essence of Kangqiao. I’m happy to be able to share a small peak into my Shanghai life with all of you.
Angeelika
Posted at 07:35h, 08 MarchNice photos 🙂
admin_jennifer
Posted at 08:43h, 08 MarchThanks! And thanks for reading 🙂
admin_jennifer
Posted at 23:54h, 08 MarchThanks, Angeelika! And thanks for reading 🙂
Nadja
Posted at 14:35h, 08 MarchGreat pictures! I just discovered your blog- you have a new fan 😉
Cheers,
Nadja
admin_jennifer
Posted at 23:45h, 08 MarchThanks, Nadja! That means a lot to me 🙂
Shine
Posted at 14:42h, 08 MarchBeautifully done! And the interesting part of Shanghai most people would never get to see was unfolded because of your photo shoot. Keep sharing!
Patty Blank
Posted at 15:40h, 08 MarchI loved the pic of you in the rain. I must admit, Shanghai was way on the bottom of my favorite places. Not only because I am a country girl at heart, but I was bothered my the noise, cell phones everywhere, no eye contact and being pushed (a lot). That being said I was also helped by a young woman during a brief experience of OMG where the hell am I!!! Your pics and comments have allowed me to a better understanding their culture. Loved it!
admin_jennifer
Posted at 23:44h, 08 MarchThanks for the comment, Patty. I can totally understand your sentiments regarding Shanghai. Like I said, as a tourist, it’s really hard to get past the hard (and pushy) surface. But then you have those wonderful moments during moments of otherwise stress and panic. For me, 5 years ago during my first visit, it was an old Chinese woman on a train, who literally tucked me in while I fell asleep 🙂
Jayne
Posted at 06:49h, 09 MarchWhat gorgeous photos. They really tell a story about Shanghai
admin_jennifer
Posted at 07:04h, 09 MarchThanks, Jayne! Maja did a great job. Thanks for reading 🙂
V
Posted at 14:34h, 09 MarchWhat a beautiful story! And congratulations on having a published article as a guest expert, what a huge achievement!
The photos are lovely. Your co-worker really knows how to use a camera. ;o)
V
Life+1
admin_jennifer
Posted at 23:40h, 09 MarchThanks, V! That means a lot to me 🙂
Robyn
Posted at 10:31h, 10 MarchHello! Lovely photos! I’ve just found your blog and I’m hooked! Happy travels!
Robyn 🙂
http://www.thetechgypsy.com
admin_jennifer
Posted at 00:18h, 11 MarchThanks so much, Robyn! I love your blog too 🙂 xo
Eden
Posted at 14:39h, 11 MarchLove these photos! China has been on my travel list for awhile, hopefully someday I’ll get to visit.
http://www.mintnotion.com
admin_jennifer
Posted at 01:34h, 12 MarchThanks, Eden! You MUST visit China. I’ll make sure to write a post about what to do if you have one week, two, etc. 🙂
Marie @ Marie Away
Posted at 20:03h, 11 MarchThis photoshoot is stunning. Really captures the atmosphere. It really does look like a photogenic place, very raw and real. You look great!
admin_jennifer
Posted at 01:34h, 12 MarchThanks, Marie! You are so sweet 🙂
jenessa
Posted at 15:07h, 12 MarchHey!
I just happened to stumble upon your blog and I love it, I have never been to Asia but my husband and I are headed to Hong Kong and Tokyo for the Summer, I am stoked. I loved reading about your experience. Hope you have a bomb day!
XO JNESS
ps you are gorgeous
admin_jennifer
Posted at 00:07h, 13 MarchThank you so much, Jness!! You are so sweet. You will LOVE HK and Tokyo; such great foodie towns. 🙂 Make sure to check out Kyoto. I have a Japan post somewhere on here of all the things you need to eat. Enjoy and thanks for following!! xo
Ingrid @WorkTravelBalance
Posted at 09:49h, 13 MarchHello Jennifer! Lovely blog! I’m also an American expat living in Shanghai. I love these pictures, they really showcase the details that we sometimes forget about this amazing city.
admin_jennifer
Posted at 03:18h, 19 MarchHey, Ingrid! Thanks for connecting with me and for reading my blog 🙂 xo
Latravelera
Posted at 10:15h, 20 MarchAmazing pictures and you look beautiful! Your post makes us wish we were there too 🙂
We could follow each other?, I have a new blog about my trips and we could interchange travelling experiences.
http://latravelera.blogspot.com/
admin_jennifer
Posted at 01:13h, 21 MarchThanks for the compliment and for reading! 🙂 I will definitely check out your blog. Always looking to connect with fellow travelers! xo
yvonnelaura
Posted at 13:34h, 20 MarchOh, wow, your photos look amazing!
admin_jennifer
Posted at 01:14h, 21 MarchThanks, Yvonne! Shanghai is a great backdrop 🙂 xo
Diana
Posted at 11:03h, 21 MarchYour blog + your photography = Amazing!!! Enjoyed reading it. 🙂
http://dianaratemo.com/
admin_jennifer
Posted at 10:03h, 22 MarchThanks so much, Diana! That means so much to me 🙂
Natalia
Posted at 19:32h, 22 MarchLove this picture of you talking to one of your Chinese neighbors! Looks like an incredible experience 🙂
-Natalia
glitterandpassport.blogspot.com
admin_jennifer
Posted at 04:07h, 23 MarchThanks, Natalia! 🙂 xo
Shing
Posted at 18:01h, 18 AprilHi, I’ve just found your blog and I’ve enjoyed going through some of your posts! These photos are gorgeous, and there’s a real sense of the locals enjoying the photo shoot too! Seeing the dilapidated buildings and crumbing walls remind me of when I was living in the Anhui province. Ahhh it’s nice to be reminded of such times!
admin_jennifer
Posted at 04:13h, 20 AprilThank you so much for reading, and for the nice comment, Shing! I love living in China, and always appreciate the contrast of old and new 🙂