An Unexpectedly Charming Lane
While the purpose of Back Roads, Charming Towns remains to chronicle great out-of-the-way getaways in small town America, I was totally enchanted by Emily Prager's account in today's New York Times of the microcosm she discovered in the center of bustling Shanghai. The parallels between anyone leaving the B.C. to explore a simpler way of life, regardless of on which side of the planet you do so, are striking.
Prager and daughter Lulu set off on the ultimate adventure when they escaped New York's overpriced burgers and real estate to discover a community in this corner of Shanghai that in many ways resembles small town living. Situated in what is referred to as a lane house, the petite structure that the Pragers call home is situated on a lazy side street off of one of the city's busy boulevards. Within such lane house communities, a village economy and mentality emerges.
Eager merchants provide small town-style customer service, hawking their wares often with door-to-door service. Newcomers are welcomed with a combination of appreciation and hospitality that is hard to beat (great people are great people everywhere). On a warm evening, lane residents come outside and hold impromptu barbecues. In all, Prager has discovered a "grace" and genorosity among people who are only too eager to be of assistance, whether it is in paying a bill or planting your latest garden acquisition.
However, there is also the joy and confusion of learning about local oddities and customs. Since our own relocation, we have been educated on the poka run at Smith Lake; the endless fascination with the perceived second coming of Coach Paul "Bear Bryant: in new Alabama head football coach Nick Saban; and a reintroduction to pumping your own gas and left turn lanes when driving (virtually both non-existent in New Jersey, where my children learned to drive).
Clearly the differences in customs between New York and Shanghai have been a little more pronounced for Prager, who has had tiger paws thrust at her for purchase in a local market, and whose family dog is still a rarity to her neighbors (the Chinese have only recently begun to keep pets). One of the more luxurious -- and unexpected -- favored activities is ballroom dancing at twilight in a nearby park.
To read Emily Prager's account in full detail, you can visit the article here.
If you land up in Visalia, you'll get a lot of the small town feel. They even have a statue of Confucius at the Chinese Cultural Center.