Scorpions and the Forbidden City

It is hard to know if the weather was unusual or not during our visit.  One thing is for sure and that is that we were often in a humid cloud, sort of drizzling and hot.  It made the granite pavement in the heart of town look rich and elegant.

We were surprised to see only a few bike carts in town.. It turned out that bikes were restricted and couldn't go in to the center of the city during most hours of the day.

Rickshaws

We had been walking by this little entry for a couple of days before we decided to see what was here.  This was right in the middle of the city coming off the main street of the upscale shopping district of Wangfujin.

Entrance to street food alley off Wangfujin

Upon entering this little alley we were overwhelmed by the sights and smells of different foods.  Some were enticing others revolting.  Hardest to resist were the bugs on a stick, not to mention the live scorpions.  Skewered on a slender stick, their legs and tails were still wiggling wildly. Who wouldn't want to have them deep fried nice and fresh?  How could anybody think of having stale scorpions anyway?  I am sure it makes all the difference in the world to have them fresh cooked.  Because the alley was crowded and there was not a place to sit down and enjoy a snack, we were disappointed as we passed by without indulging. 

What a perfect way to show off the car and bike parts--all cleaned up and presented on a lace table cloth.  It kind of makes you want to become a mechanic and wear white gloves as you work.

The proper way to display hardware

Our favorite store on Wangfujin

Toys, toys and more toys.  There was an assortment from high tech to ancient traditional toys.  We had a ball trying to figure out some of the Chinese puzzles.  Even Craig was stumped on occasion.

The entrance to the Forbidden City, oddly enough, featured a large picture of Mao.

It was not unusual for people to see Craig and want to have their picture taken with him.  As any kind-hearted celebrity, Craig accommodated their dream and posed smiling as if they were long time friends.

Craig and Bruce comply with fan photo request

Another fan request

Photo op in the heart of the main entrance to the Forbidden City

The ornamentation and decoration was quite amazing. Everything  made by hand, every stone hand placed, the terrain hand smoothed, portrayed a thousand life-times of work to make this place happen.  Amazing.  Once constructed only few were allowed to enter and even fewer to come into the very center palaces and temples.  The Chinese have literally thousands of gods--each having some particular specialty.  The visitors would purchase little sticks of incense which they would place burning at the base of the sculpted gods.  They would then kneel and worship quietly appealing for help with their needs.

You can see that it was hard to distinguish us from the local people.  We blended right in.

Security forces marching in formation keep a watchful eye.

The grass surrounding the moat surrounding the Forbidden City created a peaceful place to take a break.

Beijing Tour

For our whirlwind tour of Beijing environs, we contracted with a local tour company,  whose rep had approached us on Wangfujing Street the night before.  We thought we were going to see the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs.  Turned out we saw a lot more!

I am not quite sure what this is, but I think it must be Chinese braille or a jade mural or really nice wall paper.  I am not sure which.

Factory guide, Craig, and Nina, our guide for the day

At the jade factory the artisans work on a piece for a few days and then for the sculpted spheres, the few who have the skill take the piece to a special workshop (often at their homes) where they actually change the spheres to a ball in a ball in a ball, thus keeping the process a closely guarded secret.

Each ball crafted with ornamentation on the surface.  They say that these balls, when placed properly in a room, create the feng shui or harmony in the space.

Official explanation of the "Eternal Family Ball," aka "Happiness Ball"

The markings on the stone slab are not graffiti, rather they indicate the beginning or entrance to a segment of the Great Wall of China.  We climbed a section which was in the clouds part of the time.  When not in the clouds the view was quite spectacular.

Beginning our ascent of Great Wall at Juyongguan (Juyong Pass)

After 3,198 (3,200 according to Craig) non ADA compliant stairs we walked away from the Great Wall.  The vertical rise was about a quarter of a mile and the horizontal run a mile. When you are in great shape like we are, it was a piece of cake (although my legs are still sore).

The segment of the Great Wall that we climbed was actually restored some time ago and is not entirely original.  You can see that the wall is on top of the mountain ridge and there are often cliffs on each side.  I can't figure how anyone could climb the cliffs never mind the Great Wall on top.  

You can see the writing on Craig's fan.  According to my extensive knowledge of Chinese, it says, "We are really having fun now!" or else "Anyone crazy enough to climb this wall deserves to have a Charlie Horse in each leg!"  (I am not sure which is correct because the second character is not entirely clear.)

We made it to the top of the Wall!

 This is what it is like to be in a cloud.

Craig consults with an artisan at the cloissone factory.

Nina and Craig map out our visit to one of the Ming Tombs.

The next stop on our required (unbeknowdst to us) tour itinerary was a silk factory.  The little white balls are actually silk work cocoons.  It is amazing to realize that the entire cocoon is from a single thread of silk.  By stirring the cocoon in water a little, the end of the thread comes loose and thereafter they just roll it up on a spool.  The process is actually quite simple--perhaps even I could do it.

 Sometimes there are two silk worms that have their cocoons woven together.  In that case the silk is pulled and stretched to make a batting for pillows or other stuffing.  Mary Lee is helping stretch out this double or "twin" cocoon.  The silk is surprisingly strong.

The Olympic Stadium from the 2008 Olympics in Beijing was called the Bird's Nest for obvious reasons. 

Although a beautiful stadium, it has not been used since.  It is just for show now.  I would have thought that they would use it for training or competitions or something, but not so.

Dancing demo in Beijing

MAINLAND CHINA 

Scenes from our hotel in Xi'An, the Grand Noble, were typical of the big cities we visited in China:

The Grand Noble had the best breakfast buffet!

Sadly, I don't think any of us tried the wheat glute while we had the chance.

You can tell that in China people find eating something to lose their head about.  as you can see, Craig takes eating quite seriously.  Forkhead and I, on the other hand are a little more relaxed.

Bell Tower, Xi'An

We landed in Beijing around midday, and through Craig's great language skills and investigations discovered a shuttle that took us to the international hotel area, near the center of the city.   Craig got directions to our hotel which he had been told was within walking distance--a very long walk! 

We walked for over an hour in the blazing sun (the only clear day during our stay in Beijing), hauling and carrying our luggage, Bruce doing the lion's share of the work without complaint. (I got so accustomed to carrying luggage that I was considering becoming a Sherpa in the Himalayas.  The only problem was that I was not in the Himalayas, although they were closer than our hotel.)

Finally, we arrived at the Crown Plaza on Wanfujing in the center of town, less than a mile from Tianenmen Square and the Forbidden City.  It proved to be a great location, close to several malls, many restaurants, and the subway.  The hotel was very nice, with the interior open to the lobby nine stories high and two glass elevators (out of four), an indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi on the ninth floor--our floor.  We checked it out one night but were too tired to take advantage of it. 

Craig and I carefully planned out what we were going to do and how we would get there.  Craig was so confident in my navigation skills that he gave me a little card that had instructions on it in Chinese telling a possible cab driver where our hotel was.

It was not usual to have young girls stop us on the street or in the mall so they could have their picture taken with me. . . I mean Craig.  (Although it did happen to me once!)

Bruce tries out a wrinkle-smoothing patch.  He didn't buy it.

The Apple store was really something.  All glass or clear plastic. The Apple store was contrary to Craig's loyalties so he often walked out of the way to avoid even going into the store.  I do not think Craig will be getting an I phone in the forseeable future.

We inadvertently captured the Chinese solution to diapers in the landfill.

Nighttime on Wangfujing Street was amazing.  People were just getting started when we were about dead tired.  The street really did come to life--lights everywhere and lots of stores thriving.  The central shopping district was within a few minutes of our hotel.  The streets were of granite rather than asphalt and the prices would make San Francisco seem economical.  Off the main drag, however, it was a completely different story.

In the evening there were street dancers who attracted quite a crowd.  Craig caught on quickly and was soon the center of attention.  I went back to the hotel and what did I find, Craig's tap shoes!  When I returned with them Craig put on a show that was a real crowd pleaser.

You can see that I had a few steps myself.  You can also see why Craig said that it was painful to watch me dance!

Craig's fans couldn't resist capturing him in action.

Mary Lee almost got a Charlie horse in her finger from all of the Camera work.  She was amazing.