Francine Martin founder of “East of the Sun” a sophisticated shopping and tour guide service in Shanghai (www.eastofthesun-asia.com) invited DDA to organize a couple of Chinese culture activities for a small party of American guests visiting China.
On Sunday 11th April arranged a Calligraphy taster session at “M on the Bund” wine bar and restaurant, with Ms Wang Xiu Hua, of the Wang Xi Zhi Calligraphy Appreciation and Research Institute, introducing the guests to a brief history of calligraphy and its evolution from scripts carved into Tortoise shell through its myriad developments to the present day.
She also taught them the basics of calligraphy brush strokes and some simple characters.
The workshop was supported by Jessie Zhang and Kassy Wang, acting as translators and assistants to Rose Oliver and Ms Wang.
The 8 guests had a great time learning about this fascinating art form and famous example of China’s ancient culture.
At the end of the session, Ms Wang also presented each guest with a scroll of calligraphy as a souvenir.
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On the 2nd day of their visit, DDA organized an introduction to TCM, with a tour around the renowned pharmacy and Chinese Medicine store at the Yu Gardens.
Rose Oliver acted as translator and guide, showing the guests around the pharmacy which has over 200 year’s history in Shanghai.
Ms Ye Lan Fen, the manageress at the medicine store took us on a tour, explaining the different processes and methods used in the dispensing of herbal medicines and introducing everyone to the different doctors and their consulting rooms.
She showed the guests the way the herbal prescriptions are prepared and dispensed; with an inside look at the dispensary and the medicine stock room.
The guests were fascinated by the way the pharmacists calculated the exact measurements for the doses, although everything is still dispensed in the traditional manner without the use of technological equipment and measuring devices usually seen in most modern US hospitals.
The methods are still much closer to the way a gourmet chef will prepare the ingredients for a recipe, with knowledge, expertise and experience being the indicators of the exact amounts needed.
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The guests had many questions about how the medicine is used and how the different prescriptions are prepared and for what kinds of ailments.
Following the tour in the dispensary, one of the guests had a consultation with one of the TCM doctors and after which the tour ended with the group being guided around the first floor of the pharmacy, looking at all the different health products, medicines and teas available.
The guests spent a fascinating morning, before heading off for the next leg of their visit to Suzhou and enjoyed a real inside look into the efficacy of TCM treatment.
Thanks to Francine for the opportunity and to Ms Ye for her patient guidance and generosity for showing us around and answering al of our enthusiastic questions.