The Heat Is On

Small village squeezed between modern development projects. How much longer will it still be here?


Catholic church (1864) and old folks home






After a bikeless weekend last weekend because of the heat, I decided to go for it this morning at 7:45. I lasted only 19 km with many stops, as the sun was powerful. When I got home, the weather report said 32 C, "feels like 39 C" because of the humidity. Nevertheless it was worth it, I explored new buildings and roads, which took me to an old Catholic home for the elderly with an old church from 1864, which was completely boxed in by new office buildings in Zhangjiang's high tech park. It housed over 100 people. Also came upon an old village, hidden behind trees and a river along the Gaoke highway. Then close to home in Tangzhen, where many building and land have to make room for a new apartment and villa developments. I asked one of the inhabitants whether this was a good thing or not; he replied that he was not an owner but most are getting "good compensation" which runs into the tens of thousands for their farm homes. If any word typifies Pudong, it's CHANGE...

Time to move. House in the back is over 100 years old.













One of the few street names in China named after foreigners: Newton Rd.