Second Floor Cafe Views in Zhongshan, Hengyang, and Ho Chi Minh City

My view from a cafe in Zhongshan this afternoon:

Similar to when I looked outside from a cafe in Hengyang, Hunan, one afternoon four years ago . . .

. . . the experience reminded me of looking out another 2nd floor window at a cafe in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, one morning five years ago.

As in Hengyang, the unexpected connection provided much to ponder.

The Lunar New Year Spirit Is Already Coming Out in China

The Lunar New Year, also known in China as the Spring Festival, isn't until February 5. But it isn't to early to see signs of it in China's stores.

Yesterday at a store for V.S. Holiday, a men's clothing retailer headquartered in Zhongshan, China, I saw a sign announcing their Spring Festival sale.

And not long after that, also in Zhongshan, I saw employees setting up displays of Lunar New Year items for sale at a Carrefour.

Notably, at both V.S Holiday and Carrefour there were also clear signs of the upcoming Christmas holiday as well. So much holiday spirit . . .

Mars Crater Ice

My new favorite photo of a crater with ice on Mars:

It's really real. More here.

A Game on Louyuan Street

If tonight you had looked at this building on Louyuan Street (蒌园大街) in Zhongshan . . .

. . . and thought there would be a ping-pong game occurring inside . . .

. . . then you would have been correct.

I was invited to join in, but I had to decline. Their ping-pong skills were clearly far advanced beyond my own. But I am glad they left the door open making it easy for passersby to see what was occurring inside one of the old buildings on Louyuan Street.

Iamie in Zhongshan

Yixian Lake Park

West Into the Clouds on Sun Wen West Road in Zhongshan

During the past two years I have shared night scenes here and here from Zhongshan's Sun Wen West Road Pedestrian Street — a historic street without the signs which can be found nearby warning of dangerous buildings. Below are two scenes as night was falling there two days ago. The lighting and clouds added a special effect.

A Building With a Warning in Zhongshan

In the older sections of the Shiqi subdistrict in Zhongshan exist some buildings currently marked with the sign "危房勿近" — "Derelict House, Stay Away". Despite the warning, I haven't seen any examples where something has else has been done to keep people safe from potential danger, and typically people regularly pass by in close proximity.

Below is one such house in Zhonghepo (中和泊) with the red and yellow sign. I don't know whether it is more likely destined for repair or demolition. Fortunately, whatever its fate, I suffered no harm for taking a brief close look as night fell.

Where One Subdistrict Ends Another Begins in Zhongshan

Next to a bridge connecting the Xiqu and Shiqi subdistricts in Zhongshan, Guangdong

A Zhongshan Pug

A Hanukkah in Shanghai Far From the Holocaust

"Shanghai, China, 1939, a Hanukkah party for refugee children in the Twig family's home"
From Hanukkah - The Festival of Lights: Before, During and After the Holocaust
Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center

A Mobile Moment Next to the Shiqi River in Zhongshan

A Mobile Moment Near a 5th Season in Zhongshan

Riding by on Tingzixia Street (亭子下大街)