Shooting the Breeze

At the Market

Red Lanterns

Beer Garden

In the US, where we're quite safety conscious, we would never let anyone set up a temporary beer garden under an overpass. The Chicago police would insist on a liquor license. In days gone by, they'd want a kick back.

Willow Stadium

Next to the stadium that looks like a lotus is a new stadium, also designed by the Bird's Nest team, that resembles a willow tree. The willow is Jinan's city tree.

I'm fond of them both. They're far from my neighborhood way on the southeast side of town.

If you like seafood

Local Pool Hall

Jinan's "Lotus" Stadium

Designed by the people who created the Olympic Bird's Nest, this is the new stadium built in 2009 for the Chinese National Games.

Dining al Fresco

Just in summer this restaurant expands onto the street.

Manhole Covers

Jinan's city flower if the lotus, which appears on many manhole covers here.

Famous Athleticwear

361 Degrees is more or less the Chinese Nike.

In the Hutongs

Not far from my apartment.

Light Show

Every night at 8:00 pm there's a light show by the fountain downtown. They play classical music and the fountain lights change color. Since it's been so hot, many cool off by jumping into the fountain.

What is that?

Some kind of claw it seems. The sauce looks fine. Still I'm not an adventurous eater.

What have they done?

This street used to be lined with vendors and their wares. Now it's an obstacle course. No telling how long it will be like this. It used to look like this:

Another Buddha

At Thousand Buddha Mountain there's a cave with probably 1000 Buddha's so it's not just and exaggeration.

Buddha's at Thousand Mountain Buddha

For Kids

I'm not sure but this looks like a kindergarten.

Beer

When the weather's warm, these folks sell beer in a makeshift beer garden. If you want it to go, they'll put it in a plastic bag for you.

RT-Mart

The local supermarket, a Taiwainese chain that I've heard is partly owned by the Kuomingtang Party.

At Jinan Train Station, 2:20am

What I saw when I got off my train on Thursday in the wee hours of the morning.

Batou Springs

My it's hot today in Jinan. It must be at least 30 C. Thus it's a great day to go to Batou Springs to cool off. Jinan's known as the city of springs.

Yams?

When I asked what these were, I was told these were yams inside, but no one was sure. They did taste good.

Theme Day: Reflection

I realize this is stretching it. I couldn't get a photo of an actual reflection, but here's a relief of Confucius who was certainly famous for his ability to reflect. He lived east of here in Qufu and the whole province is proud.

Click here for thumbnails of all City Daily Photo Theme Day participants.