The Back Lakes, Hutongs and T (Part 2 of 2)

The Back Lakes, Hutongs and T (continued)
(Part 2 of 2)
From the Soong Ching Ling Mansion we walked to the lake shore, purchased some drinks from a local lakeside shop and took a stroll along the bank. We watched some local men swim across the lake hooting and hollering as they went. Others engaged in various forms of exercise or game playing including a rather aggressive doubles Ping Pong match and a more sedate board game.

The most unique part of the day occurred just outside a Buddhist Temple. We took a quick left and right turn away from the lake to get to a noted Buddhist Temple. We were standing around taking pictures and this very kind, munchkin-like old man joined us for the photo session. Although still a mystery, we speculated as to the contents of his smoking pipe. The suggestion of Opium prompted a good laugh as it seemed the most likely explanation for the old man's jolly, thumbs-up behaviour.

We continued our walk through the avenue toward a very narrow street full of various shops, restaurants, and homes. Just prior there marched past a plethora of three wheeled, pedaled carts (whose name is escaping me). These carts pull tourists all around Beijing.

Some of the smells and sights were unique only to the Hutongs of China. As an aside, many of these quant neighborhoods are being bulldozed to make way for the new, modern China for all the world to see during the 2008 Olympics to be then followed by the World Exposition in 2010. Buildings are going up everywhere. There is so much building that, for example, forty percent of the entire world's cement was used by China in 2004. Cranes seem to be a greater part of the horizon than the buildings themselves.

Back on point, Jamie and Mike purchased a couple of People's Workers T-shirts. Jamie also got several original, “made in China” bike bells for himself and his mom. Bargaining is to be expected. Jamie and Cory thought it very exciting to see what could be accomplished and for how little one could pay below the asking price. Hilde stood by and watched it all in amazement. Cory and Ingrid spent a considerable amount of time sampling various Teas in a couple of shops. They tasted several types and finally purchased some Oolong, Lichee and Jasmine teas from a certified Organic shop and two other shops before finishing the afternoon.

Our day ended with the evening show at the Chouyang Acrobatics Theatre. Amazing fetes of stamina, strength and flexibility were exhibited throughout the one and a half hour show. The cheapest tickets got us fourth row seats where the view was tremendous.


Until our next post, our love to you all.

The Back Lakes, Hutongs & T's (Part 1 of 2)

The Back Lakes, Hutongs and T
(Part 1 of 2)

On Thursday we slept in a bit to recover from the climb to the Great Wall as Simati. (See the previous post for details.) Today, we took the lead from Cory and ventured to a more sedate but intriguing portion of Beijing called the Back Lakes. The area around the Back Lakes is a calmer version of Beijing that illustrates the more traditional, albeit stereotypical, Chinese lifestyle.

Here we walked past the splendid and rather expensive houses of the party apparatiks that surround the Lakes, saw several Buddhist Temples, and toured the former residence of Soong Ching Ling, Sun Yatsen's wife. Nearby there are several narrow side streets of modest homes, ornate temples, and simple restaurants, bars or shops.

We first toured the the former residence of Soong Ching Ling. Ms Ling attended the Wesleyan School for Women in Macon Georgia sometime around 1913 or so. She was a very worldly woman who had a very active life in Chinese politics. She started out as the secretary to Sun Yatsen and two years later eventually married him. Perhaps indicative of their life to be is the wedding gift that Sun Yatsen gave his wife--a small pistol. The complex we toured was her former residence as vice-Chairperson of the People's Republic of China. It was also the birthplace of China's last emporer, Pu Yi.

The most notable occurence this placid and sedate place has seen in recent years was Jamie swinging on the swing and launching himself several times into the air as he exited. You can imagine both the dear Madame and the Emporer were spinning in her graves. Not to be outdone, even Hilde took her turn on the swing, sans the jumping exit.


From there we walked to the lake shore, purchased some drinks from a local lakeside shop and took a stroll along the bank. We watched some local men swim across the lake while others engaged in various forms of exercise or game playing including a rather aggressive doubles Ping Pong.

We'll continue the day on another post...

The Great Wall--Simati

The Great Wall At Simati
The portion of the Great Wall at Simati is beyond belief. It is, as they say, "treachrous." The Moms were incredible simply making it to the portion of the Great Wall not meant "for the faint hearted."

Our adventure to Simati started on Wednesday, 17 October 2006 with a near three hour drive from Beijing followed by a 2 kilometer Gondola ride and a train car ride that climbs about another 300 feet. Depending on which Tower one chooses to start out at there are two trails. The trail to the left goes to Tower 5, the right climbs to Tower 8. (read photo descriptions at the end.) This post is late as we were a bit too tired to do so upon our return.

Just as we approached the fork in the trail to the different towers, we were approached by some local "farmer" ladys. They were very kind to help Hilde make it along the relatively flat, sometimes loose-rock-slippery trail to the landing near Tower 5. Hilde and Mike stayed for a time near Tower 5. Back at the trail fork, Ingrid, Cory and Jamie ventured up to Tower 8.

Leaving his Mom in the able care of the Ladys, Mike climbed up to Tower 8 to meet the others. (He must be getting old for all the huffing and puffing that could be heard echoing off the mountainsides that or it's the altitude.) Once at Tower 8 we took a round of pictures. Mike and Ingrid returned to Hilde, while Cory and Jamie climbed even further, all the way up to Tower 12.


Once we were ready to set back down the mountain, the Ladys brought out their wares at very expensive prices relative to what was for sale below. Mike dubbed the Ladys the "Boo-Yah" Ladys. Although not the correct spelling for the word but in Chinese Boo-Yah means "go away." Didn't seem to work well. Could it perhaps be the Idaho or Canadian accent that makes our Chinese ineffectual?


Somehow we neglected to take a full-on group photo at the top. Regardless, the variety of pics here really illustrates the magnificence of this poriton of the Wall. The first group picture shows us at the start near the two person Gondolas and the Lift Train. Tower five is the lowest visible tower. Tower 8 lies just before the ridge droops down and back up to T9. If we've counted correctly T10 & T11 can't be seen but Tower 12 is faintly visible on the far right.

Mike and Hilde are shown with Tower 6 up above their backs. Turning the camera around to catch Ingrid shows Tower 5 behind her back with more of the wall meandering on her left side. Cory and Jamie are precariously pictured atop Tower 12 with Upper Mongolia in the background.

Made it to Beijing...

The SFO-PEK flight was delayed by a three hour repair of an Engine blade. Aside from the fuel spilling profusely from the wing as the plane taxied to the runway, all arrived safely at 8:20 PM Saturday, 14 October 2006. All the troubles occurred on Friday the 13th. Coincidence? You be the judge.

Only slightly grumpy from jet lag, we managed so far to check into our palatial 27th floor humungoid apartment, visit the Summer Palace and Tiananmen Square-Forbidden City. Local grocery shopping is, well, unique. Try finding a decongestant when the descriptor is all Chinese. Is that yogurht or milk or ??? Our taxis managed to get separated so we toured Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City separately.

The fun continues tomorrow when Ingrid attends a local Rotary Club meeting at the Kempinsky Hotel and we followup with shopping at the trendy (read expensive) Lufthansa Shopping Mall.

Our love to all.

The Gang

TOMORROW!

Yep, in 12 hours we will be on the plane heading west to the East. I'm a little nervous! It's such a different world over there.

I understand the pollution is very heavy, like a never-ending cloud upon Beijing. Some people get sore throats and can lose their voice due to fumes. Well, for others that can be a bonus :-).

I'll miss the crazy munchkins!!

Boo-Boo...

Cleo...

Harold sporting his summer hairdo...

Off to CHINA!!

October 4, 2006

We are off to Beijing, China in 9 days. Wow! Who would have thought that Mike's travels would bring together 5 of the Brestler and Sieler clan together for an unforgettable family vacation.

It's so great that Jamie can come with us (Cory, Ingrid and Hilde) half way around the world to experience this ancient culture and amazing sights.