Be interested in old Shanghai books and pictures is nice, but making it happen again just for a few hours was an even greater enjoyment. This year’s big celebration (my 40th birthday and 20 years of living abroad) was the perfect opportunity. I have been passing in front of the house we celebrated at for many years, and although I am still far from ever own something like this (estimate price of the estate would probably be over USD 10m today), it was possible to rent it for a day. Thanks to an unexpected meeting with manager Leonardo, who took this party so much to his heart, to Patisserie de France for supplying a wonderful cake and to Matthieu the boss of YangJiu.com to fish out the last bottles of Champagne he supplied us from his own personal fridge.
It took a great set and tens of friends dressed up to the theme to make it a great party. Chinese girls all in Qipaos, men wearing suits and hats, the only think missing would be a 1930’s limousine to make it the perfect illusion of returning to Old Shanghai. Even the weather was perfect, warm and dry after weeks of rain. The Latino band played light jazz music, transforming the afternoon drink in an old Shanghai dancing tea, ending with a great “happy birthday song” and all of us drinking Champagne.
This really felt like an instant trip to a Garden Party in Old Shanghai, just like watching the cover of Beverly Jackson, “Shanghai Girl gets all dressed up”. Thanks for all friend for coming and making it great celebration, a great Old Shanghai party.
Pictures from the party can be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24266052@N00/sets/72157629605774432/
MONSIEUR MARTIN
JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE
Liliane, la vraie shanghaienne!
Waouh! That was amazing!
I AM A NATIVE OF SHANGHAI AND EARNED MY FIRST DEGREE FROM ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY IN SHANGHAI IN 1946 AT AGE 20. MOREOVER, I RECEIVED MY M.A. and Ph.D. in the United States. NINE OF MY WORKS ARE LISTED AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS IN THE FIELDS OF ECONOMICS AND CHINA STUDIES. http://WWW.LOC.GOV
I SPEAK SHANGHAI DIALECT AND MANDARIN CHINESE FLUENTLY AND TAUGHT BOTH AT DICTYON IN GREENBELT, MARYLAND FOR MANY YEARS. MY CHINESE NAME IS: XIE SHIHAO. EMAIL: FRANCIS.SHIEH@COMCAST.NET.
FEBRUARY 11, 2016 IN MARYLAND,USA.