We chose to embark on this whole overseas experience to provide our children with opportunities to have broad our horizons as well as experience "true living" ourselves. Well, the past two weeks have sure provided us with opportunities to do the latter for ourselves.
On a recent Friday night, Laurie and I attended our first ballet. I couldn't tell you the name of it, but can definately say that we enjoyed the whole experience. Whether it was watching the people in attendance, or the actual performance itself, we loved taking it in.
We joined other staff members after school and navigated our way through the Beijing rush hour traffic. If you think that the 494 bottleneck is bad, you have seen NOTHING. However, the habit of telling myself, "this is just part of the whole experience," has been a savior for me these past 8 months. It helps to keep a mindset that is somewhat sane in the midst of the madness we witness on the road.
The well dressed group of teachers we were part of stopped at a local Chinese restaurant to enjoy some great food. We did pass on ordering the jellied pig head though.... We quickly gorged on the chow and loaded up for a short drive to the performance hall.
Our arrival corresponded with the beginning of the ballet. From the get-go though, I marvelled at the skill of the performers in the ballet troupe. Apparently, these folks were the premier performers hree in China as well. So, we were seeing some good stuff.
The storyline of the show was the triumph of a poor peasant girl who joined a group of "liberators" against the rich and brutal landowners in south China. It was also noted by a fellow attendee that this ballet was one of eight that were allowed to be performed during the time of "liberation" in China. Mao Ze Dong's wife reportedly OK'd these eight performances.
After the performance, I went down to the local pub for a few pints before calling it a night. We had a busy day beginning the next morning.
Before I knew it, Saturday had arrived and I ventured out for another adventure. I was invited to join 5 other genelemen for a day education in a hutong in downtown Beijing. We Our education was be in the realm of Chinese cooking!!!
Loaded with a few coolers of refreshments, we set out and found our place of learning. Our teacher, a young Chinese woman from South China, took us to a local market and began. The market experience lasted about 2 hours when it was all said and done. She walked us through the market and educated us on the variouse spices, meats, vegetables, and rice available. Personally, I loved the experience. Bit by bit, I am learning things here....
After the market, we headed back to her house in the hutong and began to prepare our food. The cooking was a success on many levels. We were able to cook some great food, enjoy many a laugh, and bond as guys do (even in an environment such as this). In the end, we passed out the rest of the beer we had to a group of carpenters who were doing a major remodel on a home connected to our teacher's. We definately made their day! Which was nice.
Sunday, a beautiful day, was filled with going to church, running errands, playing outside, and a spur of the moment trip to my favoriet place in Beijing thus far.... The Dirt Market... Locally called Panjaiyuan.
At Panjaiyuan, I found a few more pieces of hand embroidered work. I absolutely love looking at all of the things that are there for sale from the vendors who drag their "treasures" in from all parts of China. I could seriously go there every other weekend and thoruoughly enjoy the place. This is a place I would definately recommend any and all visitors to visit while here in Beijing. Not only are there very exotic things to buy, but people watching is spectacular as well.
As I write, the weather here is beginning to turn a bit warmer. I can feel the short spring in the air. Hopefully the green will explode to life soon around here too.
When I can get pictures loaded up, I'll gladly dump them onto the site. Until then, fair winds and following seas.
Love,
Rilely and the crew
