14 true 100103 Rob Jameson 2009-02-26T12:48:23+01:00 The city is always changing--evolving. false -2 2009-03-10T19:37:28+01:00 2009-03-10T19:37:28+01:00 "I love Shanghai's diversity," says itinerant British expat, HR manager and part-time DJ Rob Jameson. He moved here two years ago and instantly felt at home. "It offers the old and new—from the art deco buildings at the Bund waterfront to the big central expanse at People's Square to the romance of the French Concession, with its tree-lined streets and intimate hidden lanes." On his rambles through the markets, parks, clubs and cafes, the shopping streets of Changle Lu, Julu Lu and Xinle Lu and the food stalls of Shouning Lu, Wujiang Lu and Yan’an Lu ("delicious—if you can forget where the stuff came from"), Jameson meets "a great mix of people": "they're all looking for a challenge". He thinks it's the city's history that makes it stand out. "All that foreign influence has made Shanghai more open and tolerant. But it also makes it hungrier for progress. One day, the officials will wake up and realize they shouldn’t have destroyed all this historical beauty: they'll end up rebuilding fake versions of it. Sometimes it's like the Cultural Revolution is happening all over again." The high-rises may be growing up practically overnight, but Jameson doesn't plan on leaving any time soon. Rob Jameson likes street fashion, bohemian cafe life, current affairs, documentaries, design and architecture, traveling, development work and dancing. He also loves collecting vinyl records. He dislikes dishonesty, greed, selfishness, drunk idiots and over-paid expatriates who take everything for granted. 177076 302866 Location Crockery, telephones, books and the occasional porno—all at a bargain! But get there early. /system/photos/0032/8772/R0015931_thumb.jpg 2009-02-26T14:03:05+01:00 Fangbang Lu /twenty_five_hours/100103-Rob-Jameson/locations/302866-Fangbang-Lu 177078 303517 Location A cosy, locally-run cafe in a city full of chains. You’ll find me here lazying the weekends away. /system/photos/0036/2200/R0016977-1_thumb.jpg 2009-02-26T09:13:40+01:00 Citizen Cafe & Bar /twenty_five_hours/100103-Rob-Jameson/locations/303517-Citizen-Cafe-Bar 177082 303530 Location My body is a temple—and Tomer Oz is my master! The best (and only) Thai boxing in town. /system/photos/0042/4934/geishaboy500_thumb.jpg 2009-02-26T09:14:50+01:00 Oz Body Fit /twenty_five_hours/100103-Rob-Jameson/locations/303530-Oz-Body-Fit 177579 301745 Location A place to escape the bustle. Best in autumn or on a crisp, sunny, blue-skied spring morning... /system/photos/0031/0216/bubble_romping_fun1_thumb.jpg 2009-02-26T09:06:42+01:00 Fuxing Park /twenty_five_hours/100103-Rob-Jameson/locations/301745-Fuxing-Park 177086 302244 Location The China-themed photography exhibitions are my favorites, even if the prices are in the clouds. /system/photos/0031/0627/M50_1_thumb.jpg 2009-02-26T09:08:43+01:00 M50 /twenty_five_hours/100103-Rob-Jameson/locations/302244-M50 198837 304431 Location A once-a-fortnight venue for sure: clean, tasty, healthy and consistently good food for everyone. /system/photos/0041/4371/food_thumb.jpg 2009-02-26T09:11:36+01:00 Ding Tai Fung (Xintiandi) /twenty_five_hours/100103-Rob-Jameson/locations/304431-Ding-Tai-Fung-Xintiandi 177073 301694 Location Singing bar staff, great drinks made with Japan’s modern spirit... And still sort of secret. /system/photos/0031/0422/Mokkos1_thumb.jpg 2009-02-26T09:20:11+01:00 Mokkos /twenty_five_hours/100103-Rob-Jameson/locations/301694-Mokkos 177079 302012 Location A real club whose owners get my maximum respect. It pools the best local talent. /system/photos/0034/2390/shelter3_thumb.jpg 2009-02-26T09:17:37+01:00 The Shelter /twenty_five_hours/100103-Rob-Jameson/locations/302012-The-Shelter 328532 /system/photos/0032/8532/dj.jpg