Today we checked out of the wonderful Peninsula hotel. We spent the morning in the Hutong area of the city of Beijing. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods that is still standing after the the communist "reallocation and renovation" of the city. We broke up into 3 teams and proceeded to accomplish 3 activites, similar to the amazing race. Our team's biggest (get it?) problem was Tim and me. We are by far the largest of the couples and received the smallest pedicab driver. He may have weighed 100 pounds dripping wet. Our team took off and we trailed at least 50 feet behind, as it took our poor guy that long, standing on the peddles, to make any headway.
Our first stop was the "knot tying" demonstration
. We went to a lovely woman's home, and sat on stools in her 10-12' living room. In this area, at least 10 families share a common courtyard and what used to be one family's home. They share a public bathroom down the street. There is one facility every 100 meters. She used to be a kindergarden teacher, which explained her amazing patience. We were told we would be creating a "easy" knot. I beg to differ. Seeing 8 grown ups tying to hold onto 3 loops with 2 fingers and then follow directions was hysterical. Our teacher would give descriptions for about 2 minutes and our guide, Gary, would say 3 words. I am convinced we would have performed much better with ALL the information. Ding Ding how, or very good!
Next was the yo yo demonstration. We had 2 sticks, string and a double cone shaped object. Our goal was to get it spinning and keep it straight. ( I was better at the knots!) Meanwhile, after each stop our poor peddling fool had to try to keep up with our group, dragging our large selfs throughout the narrow streets and alleyways
.
Our last stop was paper cutting. We created one that represents "Happy Marriage" and another that I can't remember. This woman's house was in the same courtyard complex as the teacher. She has been in her 300 year old home for over 30 years.
It warms the soul to be so welcomed by another culture and invited into their homes. Their warmth and humor are evident even with a language barrier.
We then had yet another amazing lunch with the LARGEST lazy Susan I have ever seen. After which, we headed to the airport to fly to Chengdu, our next stop. The airport security was wild. Shoes stayed on, but every charger, cable, hair straightener, umbrella and wallet had to be rescreened. The pat down was so intimate, she should have bought me dinner afterword. The inflight food was unique and I at least tasted most of it.
When we gathered to head out, a simple ladies room stop became interesting as the new Chengdu airport only had the squat toilets. Most of the women would rather wait then try it. When you are desperate, it really doesn't matter.
Chengdu is a new modern city! LED lights are on all the highrises, roadways and streets. We are staying at the Shangri La hotel here. Pandas tomorrow!
Rickshaw/Pedicab- the poor man!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Hutong/Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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