Recorded August 1, 2009. This walk starts down Jiang Ning Lu and finally begins at An Yuan Lu toward the middle of the track. This part of Shanghai has seen quite a bit of change and is now quite modern. Nearby is M50 on Moganshan Lu and there are quite a bit of galleries scattered about the area. Like a jewel in the rough, this ‘Nong Tang’, which is a term to describe the old residential alleyways in Shanghai, still preserves the simple life that was so abundant before and gives an intimate view into the lives of local Shanghainese. Echo grew up here mostly in the care of her Grandmother and still has family and family friends in the area. As we walk into the Nong Tang, the places that she describes are still there and the smell freshly cooked dinner fills the air.

Toward the end of the alley, we just happen to run into her Grandmother’s sister and some family friends and she shares some dialog. This unexpected break in the typical soundwalk format is a refreshing example of the uncontrollable nature of life in these recordings. It really shows the deep connection that the speaker still has with the locations.

Please sit back and close your eyes and enjoy this recording.

All photos taken by Weina Li.

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http://www.growingupwithshanghai.com/guws/An_Yuan_Lu.html