Day Three -- Beijing to Xi'an - Wednesday - 12 March 2014

Up at 4:00 am so the time difference is beginning to even out.  Luggage outside the door by 6:00 am -- breakfast at 6:30 am and on the bus by 8:00 am.   Jimmie is in fine form this morning teaching Chinese greetings and other pleasantries -- continuing with more on the history of China from 1949 forward.   Remember when your parents told you to eat your vegetables because of the starving children in China?  Well it turns out they were really starving over here in the late 1950's and early 1960's.   More people died during that time than died during World War II -- the Chinese government has never been willing to release the detailed information.

We spend the morning in old Beijing -- the oldest section of town with small one story cement buildings at least 150 years old.  At one time single homes with very large court yards existed here.   Taken away from the owners under Chairman Mao -- then returned in smaller pieces to some of the original families after Mao died.     This centrally located neighborhood is very desirable  -- evidence of this is seen by all the homes being renovated.   In one case a brand new two car garage has been added to a newly renovated house.  What makes this area so unique is that none of these homes have private bathrooms.   There are public bathrooms strategically placed to be no more than a three minute walk from each residence -- these public facilities are maintained by government employees and are spotless. The homes have electricity and running water but there is no sewer system here to accommodate human waste.  While we are on the subject -- bathrooms have two categories in China -- Chinese (a porcelain hole in the ground which flushes) and Western (what we are used to).   

Affter a ten minute walk through the streets we all board bicycle-powered rickshaws and are driven around the area to Madame Wong's house for tea and to have a look at the wares her niece makes -- reverse painting inside snuff bottles of various sizes.   Madame Wong lives with her daughter in about 500 square feet.  --  a portion of the original property which has been in her family for 500 years.  She is retired from a government job and now opens her home three time a week to tourists.  She said it also gives her niece exposure for what she calls "the family business".   I purchased a small snuff bottle with a painting of pandas on it -- the artist painted my name on it from the inside.  Cost:  $22.

Back on the rickshaws to the Bell Tower Tea House -- where Jimmie explains the history of this place.

In ancient times the bell would be rung in the morning to wake the village and let them know the gates were open.  In the evening a drum would sound to announce the closing of the gates.

On the plaza outside the bell tower -- two men play with a shuttle cock -- throwing it up in the air and catching it with the side of their foot.   We are each given one and encouraged to join in.   Of course -- it is more difficult than it looks.

Once inside the Tea Room -- we have a demonstration of how to brew Chinese Tea and a tasting of four teas:  Oolong, Jasmine, Purer and Rose/Lichee -- all mild and very pleasant to drink.   The teas are expensive -- about $100 for an 8"high tin filled with tea.   I buy a porcelain tea strainer for $20.

We have a wonderful morning -- but now it is off to the airport.  Our 1hour/45minute flight on Eastern China Airlines is uneventful.   Jimmie introduces us to Jing, our local guide, who will take us to see the terra-cotta soldiers in the morning.   We check into the Crowne Plaza (a 51 story round building) -- fabulous room -- huge -- all the amenities.

After settling in -- we meet at 6:00 pm for a Dumpling Banquet at a local restaurant.  It was okay -- but I am up to date on Chinese dumplings -- don't need to have any more while I'm here.  We sit with Al & Deb from Texas and Dave & Tracey from Stratford On Avon in England -- a good table.  Phil and I walk back to the hotel with Jimmie leading a small group who want exercise.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat