Exploring the M50 Art District

Since Jenn and I have both studied abroad in Europe and O.D. –ed on seeing churches and  artworks depicting Madonna’s with Child- we were defiantly feeling like getting a taste of modern Chinese Art in the M50 art District, a collection of hip contemporary art galleries contained in a renovated warehouse.

M50 galleries, a charmingly renovated warehouse teaming with contemporary art galleries from local artists, they didn't have terribly compelling art, but it was nice to get a taste of the culture

M50 ArtSpace poster

Aww, the oh so charming baby with split pants...so they can poop and pee on the street :)

 Taking a Fortunate Wrong Turn onto the Farmer’s Market near Duolun Cultural Road

While on our way to walk down the Duolun Cultural we were drawn to the chaos of a nearby street when we reached a fork in the road.  Although we were the only foreigners on the street, I was so glad that we got to experience the hustle and bustle of the locals buying and selling vegetables and fruit on the street.  We also had the BEST street food that I have ever had in my life!!!

We bought hot dumplings from this street vender

A man selling vegetables on the street

Everyone was eating this shellfish, we couldn't figure out what it is...

Fresh live fish anyone?

Whatever these were, they were the best things I've had so far in China,

 it's some sort of pastry cooked in oil with green onion inside

Piping hot, but it's soo yummy!

Once we re-traced our steps to Duolun Cultural Road we were also happy to find tons of stores with local antiques and handmade items.  I picked up a cute hand painted little lucky money bunny necklace with dollar signs on his eyes in celebration of the year of the rabbit.

Duolun Cultural Road

My bunny charm

Roast duck

By the time we reached a café for a dinner time snack, Jenn was having major wine withdrawals – which I like to call “pútáo jiǔ cravings.”  We are having tons of fun yelling “wine” in Mandarin everywhere we go in Shanghai, even though imported wine is difficult to find here and it’s usually very expensive and the local Chinese wine is really terrible…She’s been bucking up though and is becoming quite the drinker of Yanjing beer, a local cheap beer.  After dinner we headed back to enjoy some much needed sleep in our heavenly bed.

Worst wine ever, clearly China is not known for its vino!