This week marks a return of sorts for me, to the streets of my adopted home town of Shanghai. I finally just decided that I’ve spent too much time doing voluntary shelter-in-place and it was time to go out and start making a bit of money and begin to establish that workaday routine. It just is.
Well, from the looks of it, many people here in China have also decided that enough is enough! We’ll wear our masks, sure. No one wants to catch the coronavirus. But darn it if it’s not time to get out and get it again.
During the course of my day, I had the opportunity to stop by one of my favorite places in town - the Old City (老城）market by Laoximen (老西门). Here is where you’ll find what’s left of the original Chinese district in Shanghai. Crowded lanes and century-plus old architecture. They removed the city walls ages ago. Not much is left of what used to be the most vibrant and authentic area of the city.
But the market is there. You can buy battle crickets, potted plants, aquarium fish, ancient Chinese art and artifacts, jewelry, junk, you name it...
But ain’t nobody there social distancing!
Looks like the Old China is back (with masks on), at least in this one little special place.
Let's hope everything's gonna be OK.