Day 214: Chinese Lesson and Janetta's Lecture at the SHAC

Our two main events of the day were a Chinese lesson with Deborah (2:30-4:00 pm) and then seeing Janetta Benton's lecture at the Shanghai American Center (beginning at 6:00 pm).

With Deborah, we probably chatted a bit more than usual, but we went over some vocabulary (like asking for tickets, reviewing "zuo" vs. "zou," and translating some words in our old textbook). We are also learning to recognize and write some basic Chinese characters: sun, mountain, person, etc. So it was a good session. We're only doing 90-minute sessions with Deborah from now on so we can have more with her in the future. Fulbright pays for only $1,000 worth of language lessons, so unfortunately our time with Deborah is limited.

After the lesson, we got ready to go to Janetta's talk. We had a weird Didi incident: we ordered a cab as usual, but the driver drove by us twice and then when he finally arrived, he wouldn't let us in the cab. I think he was lost about where to go, and we didn't really know what to tell him. We got flustered. So we cancelled the ride--but oddly enough, he just sat there for a bit. I think he was trying to figure things out--I even showed him my phone--but it was a lost cause. This is so strange because 95% of the time, Didi is fine, and the cab driver understands, no problem. Finally we secured a new cab and we were on our way. 49 RMB for the cab going there.

Before the lecture, Kerry and I had a quick bite to eat at a bakery: he had prosciutto and cheese, and I had salmon and cream cheese. Then we went to the lecture at the SHAC (Shanghai American Center). Security was VERY tight: we had to make sure we were on an "approved" list, put our phones and keys through an airport-security test, and they even dusted our phones. We had to remove our belts. Strange!  When we finally got in the room, they were playing Billie Holiday, so this cheered me up. I chatted with Elliot a bit before Janetta's lecture: he seemed more relaxed and at ease than he did in Dali. Janetta lectured mainly about Winslow Homer, but also briefly on Thomas Eakins. Both were 19th century American painters but with different styles. Homer focused mainly on nature and was influenced by Monet; he was quite the recluse. Eakins focused more on the body as a subject and did a lot of portraits. In her conclusion, Janetta recited poems, and then, after her lecture, Janetta asked the audience some questions, including "If you were a curator, which piece would you have in the museum and why?" After showing one piece by Homer and one piece by Eakins. Thought-provoking stuff!

Once the lecture was done, we went for a drink in the nearby Ritz-Carlton. A couple guys--Brandon and his friend James--accompanied us. Brandon is the friend of one of Janetta and Elliot's sons. I had a pina colada, which I haven't had in awhile. Kerry and I also had sliders (with pate!) and fries with truffle mayo (which we had in Hong Kong). It took awhile to get a taxi home--this time, Didi didn't seem to pick up anything--so we went and waited in the hotel taxi line with Janetta and Elliot. They got in one, and then we did too. 45 RMB going back, probably because it didn't take as long.

I ended the evening by playing some Billie Holiday, inspired by the music in the Shanghai American Center.

Pictures from today:

Janetta speaks at SHAC.

At the bar in the Ritz-Carlton: (left to right) James, Brandon, Janetta, Elliot, me, Kerry.