V A is a long standing and recognised digital creative; her voice resonates with many. In the last ten years, the site has developed into an online destination for fashion, beauty and lifestyle advice. Her sense of style, editorial flair and practical counsel offers an inspired and graceful approach to living.

V A is a long standing and recognised digital creative; her voice resonates with many. In the last ten years, the site has developed into an online destination for fashion, beauty and lifestyle advice. Her sense of style, editorial flair and practical counsel offers an inspired and graceful approach to living.

Edit by: Vicki
Mar 31, 2016

Hello From Shanghai

raise the red lantern chinese film still 1991, hello from shanghai, vickiarcher.com

Shanghai, Thursday 08:43
Hello from Shanghai.

I am here for a couple of days and can’t contain my enthusiasm about this vibrant city.

My posting schedule has been interrupted not only because the restrictions on the Internet are quite limiting but also my excitement about being here makes it hard to concentrate on our usual subjects.


I have always dreamed of visiting Shanghai.

I am not sure why this city has held such a fascination, but ever since I can remember Shanghai has been on my must-go list. It has probably something to do with growing up in Australia and Asia being our destination of choice; so much closer than Europe.


Shanghai is an assault on the senses.

The colour, the fragrance, the scale; the size of everything is mind blowing. I have only glimpsed the surface but already I am mesmerised by the place.


There is an extraordinary mix of the old world and the new world together.

As I look out over the Bund, across the river towards Pudong, where the skyscrapers literally take your breath away, I am watching the locals practicing tai chi on the boardwalk. Old men in traditional Mao suits are strolling the streets and the food vendors are wheeling their stalls into position for the day. The Huangpu River is alive with trade vessels floating to and fro; it is an energetic panorama.

At night the buildings are illuminated in every hue and the idea is to eat in one of the restaurants along the Bund with a commanding view of this modernistic light show.


 

We discovered an original apothecary.

It is a dispensary of all remedies wild and wonderful. Large red canisters from floor to ceiling lined the walls and white jacketed “pharmacists” measured out the ‘medicines’ using old fashioned weighing scales. The exact contents were carefully poured onto a clean white paper square and then twisted to close. You can imagine the scent in the store; somewhere between earthy and medicinal, very unfamiliar and yet somehow comforting.


We walked the old town and the French concession; we saw the markets and the latest shopping destinations.

Everywhere I looked there are massive contrasts between the traditional and the contemporary, as if the “new” Shanghai is watching over the “old”. As we wandered the antique markets I was reminded of our weekend mornings in Provence and our outings to Villeneuve -les-Avignon and L’isle sur la Sorgue. They were no way the same but the sentiment felt equal. There are some wonderful finds in the old town markets and I am already regretful hours later. I have loved a mix of Chinoiserie with French decor forever.


And the cuisine.

The spicier the cuisine and the happier I am. The Shanghai dumplings and noodle dishes with a large dash of homemade chilli sauce are probably not on the regime we discussed earlier this week but when in Shanghai…



The beauty of an exotic destination is all about the discovery, xv.


 

p.s

i have been interviewed on the fabulous blog, adrift and if you would like you can read the interview HERE.


Heidi Mortlock is the Founder and Editor of adrift, which chronicles her travels and features stories on inspirational women all over the globe who have at times found themselves on a road less travelled or unforeseen – they are making their mark on the world in disparate ways.



image, raise the red lantern, 1991

Edit by: Vicki
In This Post: Lifestyle