Chris Simpson:
We're back in Beijing and enjoying both the historical
and modern aspects of the city. We toured a hutong this
morning and spent some time in a traditional hutong home.
This afternoon we visited the spectacular Beijing Capital
Museum and then attended the Acrobat show. Sadly, tomorrow
will be our final full day in China. We're looking forward
to seeing our families and friends back home. Today's
Nikki will tell us more about how spent today.
Nikki:
Phew! What a day! We rode in a rickshaw, which I learned
takes a lot of talent to drive, and went to see a hutong,
a museum and an acrobat show. A hutong is a traditional
neighborhood in the area around the Forbidden City and
it contains many dwellings. The dwellings are typical
Chinese fashion, with a central courtyard shared by up
to four families. Usually, these are shared by relatives.
The one we visited consisted of one extended family made
up of a woman and her husband, her two sons and their
wives, and her granddaughter. They all have separate living
quarters, but share a courtyard. The house has been standing
for over 200 years, and is protected by the government.
However, while still wanting to preserve the heritage
and history of China, the government has formed a policy
that, after 2007, burning coal for heat will not be permitted.
I think that's a really good idea, in order to cut down
on pollution, but I think it might set people back financially
to switch over to the use of electric energy.
After a chaotic rickshaw ride back to the bus, it was
off to lunch. We were served a million plates of dumplings,
and people ate nearly all of the dumplings, whether their
stomachs had room for them or not.
After finishing lunch we went to the Beijing Capital Museum,
filled with history of this great city we are currently
visiting. We learned about the architecture, city development
and planning, calligraphy and landscape art, and the Peking
(Beijing) Opera. We all noticed we were at a disadvantage
since none of us could read Chinese! A British Museum
also had a visiting exhibit of historical artifacts that
was fascinating to see. It was surreal to be looking at
art from Greece, Rome and Africa while we were in Beijing,
China.
After dinner we went to see the Beijing Acrobats. It was
amazing to see people who look so young doing things I
could never dream of doing. Flips and leaps and climbing
and bicycling and tight-roping walking and contortionists;
it was like a circus, without the clowns and animals,
but with really good music and much more talent. It almost
makes me want to become acrobat.
Almost.
This kitchen has a propane stove, but no
oven. Baking is rarely done in a hutong home.
You have not had dumplings until you've eaten them here.
We had about seven different types of dumplings at this
lunch. Note who are still eating, go Mr. Perrin, Paxton
and Matt!
Is it Mary look-a-like day? Ms. Greene and Ms. Lizzie
share the same fashion sense.
These men flung themselves forward and back through hoops
of increasing height.
Above - These young men
scampered up the poles, posed,
and then dropped down the poles like they were greased.
Right -
How many women can ride a bike?
The answer is 11! Can you find them all?
