Talk about growth…

Grace, our friend who lives in Guangzhou, took us on a tour of her city a few weeks ago.  Among the places we visited was the very new downtown area that is a good example of the extremely rapid growth of China (which is no secret).  In our journey in the country from which many of our good friends have their origin, we saw several huge new train stations, we transitioned through several gigantic new airports, we witnessed beautiful landscaping of public areas, and saw construction cranes everywhere building new high rise buildings.  The new Guangzhou downtown area was a very large open space to walk in that prohibits motor vehicles, has a super fancy mall down below the street level, and is laid out very pleasantly.  The new subway lines feed into the area.  Interesting architecture marks the new business skyscrapers. There was also a brand new children’s museum and a very fancy new library.  At night the buildings are outlined with multi-colored LED lights that continually change.  One cannot help but be impressed with all the growth.  Of course, there’s more to growth than just building structures.  Every government faces decisions as to how to spend tax revenue.  I’m sure not everyone is benefiting from all aspects of the growth but the investment in public transportation is one area that should benefit most everyone.  There is heavy investment of both private and public money in China and there doesn't seem to be a shortage of either. Grace invested heavily in us using her whole day to show us her city and taking us to eat delicious food.  Thank you, Grace! 

 With Grace in the older section of Guangzhou

 The wide-open public square area of the newer downtown area.

 The new opera house that my sister, Lisa, would enjoy.

 That's a TALL building!

Moving sidewalk leading down to the mall and to the subway.