Beijing continued

From the drum tower, we got back into rickshaws and went along a river through the hutongs.  We walked to a man's courtyard home, and got to go in to see what it is like. The alleyways are all very gray and a cramped crazy maze, but behind the doorway, it opens into a courtyard with a garden, and all the rooms surrounding the garden inside. He does paper cutting, and we got to see his studio and purchase paper cuts mounted on silk from him, and scroll paintings from his brother.

We walked to another home and the woman of the family made us lunch from her kitchen.  We didn't get a tour of her home, but got to enjoy her wonderful cooking in her dining room. There was plate after plate of food, mostly vegetarian with some chicken in a few of the dishes. They were muslim, and that is how they normally ate. All the food was super tasty, some of the best of the trip so far.

Here is the home owner with Rose after the meal.

And then in the Rickshaw again back to the spot where we started. Here's Marion and Rose riding their Rickshaw along the river.

After the rickshaw tour, we went to the Summer Palace in northern Beijing. This has been in use for the emperor's summer vacations for quite some time, but the last time was remodeled for the Empress Dowager Cixi. This was very lovely all along, with lots of paintings of stories from the past, including mythology like the Moon maiden, or the Monkey King.

Some of the Emperors were very influenced by very western ideas, here's a huge "boat" made of marble, with ornate western/European carvings and is a paddle-wheel.

Here is a huge patch of Lotus flowers (not in bloom now) in front of the docks for this side of the lake that the summer palace is on.

The national symbols of China are the Pheonix (Yin, representing the Empress) and the Dragon (Yang, representing the Emperor). The dragon is pretty cool in front of their palace hall.

We had to return so the third family could exchange their money.  Rose got to go swimming both Thursday and Friday, we did a lot of walking down our streets at night, and exploring of the super market.  The atmosphere in the evening is very relaxed and social, with people congregating to chat, dance in the park, exercise, walk their dogs, or go to dinner.

The street our hotel is on in Beijing is full of restaurants, up and down the whole length. There must be 100's of restaurants here. The most poplar ones have lots of red lanterns out front. It was so crowded, we didn't want to be too much of a gawker here taking photos of the street life, but you get to see lots and lots of lanterns for this restaurant.

The other two families in our group are very nice and fun.  They are both first time parents, and are so very nervous and excited to meet their precious daughters.  There is a single mom and her sister, their daughter is only 8 months old.  There is a married couple, and their daughter is 7 months.  Lily is the mature one in the bunch at 11 months :)

Our guide is super sweet, and Rose and she have formed a special bond (mom is jealous...).   Rose has seemed to have changed already this trip, much more independent and confident, and she is doing so good as a traveller.  There are moments, but honestly, far fewer than when we are at home.  Let's hope it stays that way!

Saturday we went to a jade factory, this is a huge (2foot?) diameter ball of Jade floating in a fountain.

And then to the great wall at Badaling.  It was very crowded and a bit hot out, and we were pressed for time since we would be flying out that afternoon.  So we just did a quick visit, and then went for lunch, tour and shopping at a cloissonné factory.

Swung by the Olympic Village and the Bird's Nest for a photo op.

And then to airport for flight to Nanchang.  We were all so very tired!