Saturday, June 24, 2006
Friday in Beijing
Ni Hao (How do you do?), or Zao! (Morning !).
Its 6 am Beijing time. We crashed and burned last night as it was a really full day. We were out and about from 8:30 am until 10:45 last night. Wonderful day, and sorry to make you wait for our report. Internet service here is expensive. I apologize up front for not reading or answering many emails, but just to get this typed and sent cost around 100 Yuan each time, so I’m using it as short a time as possible. I did read the great news that Dr. Moll is home and well. That news went around our bus yesterday morning with a resounding cheer and a … “Good luck, Mrs. Moll!” We’re wishing you LOTS of continued recovery and prayers for patience!!
[This is Gwen, by the way. Morgan is still sleeping. I know she’s SO the better storyteller, but she really needs her rest after last night’s rehearsal followed by tonight’s rehearsal.
After our 7am wakeup calls and fabulous breakfast again in the lobby, we headed out at 8:30 for the Beijing Zoo. All 6 pandas were out, all active and playful and on display in an elaborate exhibit, both indoor and outdoor. We had only 30 minutes, so we didn’t see the rest of the animals or the zoo itself beyond that. I did pick up a map and other information, as I know my brother-in-law, Perry, will surely be interested in seeing information from there.
It was a 45 minute drive, again through smog, again in 90 degree heat (but in our air conditioned bus), to the “Summer “Palace”, famous for being the “Dragon Lady” or Cixi, the Empress Dowager’s summer home. She conducted affairs of state through her emperor son, and then nephew, and then grandson (known as the “Last Emperor”). She was “Quite a Gal” as we would say. Read the novel, “Dragon Lady” to get her story. The haze made the 700+ acres hard to appreciate, but one could imagine the beauty. A 450 acre lake lies in the center of the land with palaces, temples, grand architecture and gardens all around its shores and up on the mountain to the north eastern side. The world famous marble boat is here, and quite a thing to see! Yes, marble floats, boys and girls, but do not try this at home. Cixi’s large mirror is still on its aft wall of the inner cabin. Narcissus evidently had some competition. We took a dragon boat ride across the lake (ooooo, translate cool breeze, moving air, sitting for small rest), and enjoyed meeting a family visiting from ….. you’ll never believe this ….. EXTON!! We gave them our business card, photo, and asked if they got there by digging or by airplane, and they agreed with us that the elevated route was preferable. They saw our nametag badges and came to greet us. We left them there, as we had to hop the bus to make lunch back in the center of the city. Before we boarded the bus, as there always are, Kim Smith, one of our students, befriended a little boy (maybe 4 years old??) and gave him a whistle. WOW what a little “universal language” smile she got, and many greetings and bows from the mother. As we drove away…. 3 minutes into a four-year-old’s obvious continuous whistle-blowing one man band performance….we drove away, only to catch the mother asking him to stop blowing!!! We laughed that maybe our “gifts” might not be!!!
We ate lunch, as always, family style with what are now familiar dishes, and always a dish we hadn’t seen yet. Some kids are getting plenty to eat, some kids aren’t eating much, but rest assured there’s always plenty to eat, but we aren’t force-feeding. In this particular restaurant, the servers wore traditional Chinese costumes and elaborate make-up and headwear. We were treated to a ceremonial after meal dance by one of the Chinese women. Very lovely, the American understanding of the word “grace” isn’t good enough to describe her movement, and we applauded and bowed as graciously as we could back to her.
After lunch, to the “Temple of Heaven” which is a very large area in the city with more different architecture and a round (haven’t seen this style yet) largest ceremonial temple on its highest ground. We walked along a very long outdoor corridor and reached an inner courtyard to view the museum displays and see up close the newly renovated and back to original state Ceremonial Temple. Exquisite, vast, colorful and an architectural wonder, as all of them are, knowing they were built before Chris Columbus met an American Indian…. The temple was not built with a single nail. Its held up with a series of pillars in circles (12 outer, 12 inner, and 4 central) that hold up the ceiling and outer walls much like a camping tent to us, only 9 stories tall instead!
A five minute walk took us to Pearl Market, famous for Americans, and always a stop for a US President to purchase jewelry for the First Ladies. Supposedly, Barbara Bush’s favorite pearls are bought here…. Laura Bush came to shop and “did some damage” as well! They have very respectful and appropriate photographs of them on the walls there. I can’t reveal any secrets, of course, but rest assured they’ll remember our crowd for years to come!!! I left our picture with the owner, and suggested they get it blown up for on their wall, as well! … gosh. Why did laughter break out from their ranks??? I told them we would be famous some day!!!
The jewelry store (“Sharon’s”) was on the 4th floor of a building. On the first floor, John, Morgan and I attempted (and in hindsight, succeeded) bargaining for some of their purchases. John wanted this amazing chess set. It’s in a gorgeous Chinese case, hand-carved playing pieces of Chinese characters, all made in wood … although I originally thought it was bone. [Morgan has to write this story. I’m still shaking from this one.] She’ll tell the story next time.
Back on the bus, and off to dinner. Here we met up with the other performer groups, met “Paul” the president of Kingsway International (our tour agency), and received the best service (gee wonder why) we’ve had so far. Many servers surrounded our tables (we sit at three large round tables at every meal) and kept food coming, and even put it on our plates for us this time. I checked last night, and every one of us now is only using chopsticks to eat!!! We got to see the other groups’ personal guides, and we’ve all agreed that our Emily is hands-down the best and speaks English the best, and she “gets it” with regards to our kids. We got brave and asked her age. She is 25, still living at home because that’s what women/girls do here until they are married. She is a graduate of Beijing University as an English Major…. Honors…. And she reads novels only in English. Chinese people choose their own “English names” and she chose to be called “Emily” because of her great love for both Emily Dickinson and Emily Bronte. I’m afraid she shamed many of us into admitting we hadn’t all read all of their works many times like she has. Frankly, I was very surprised to learn she has never been to the States, because she seems to understand our culture and refers to things as though she has seen and experienced them herself.
Bill and Kelly Goebel and I were the only non-performers that left dinner to head to the Chinese Conservatory of Music for our 7:30 – 10pm rehearsal with ….. ERIC! [Translation… girls with starry eyes, boys with dropped jaws] The other adults went back to the hotel for a restful evening and many massages. Bill, Kelly and I sat in the back of the auditorium and watched with amazement and awe as Eric worked with his intimate group of around 100, sorting through and bringing Mozart to life. One would think Eric knew the man personally. There is a choir from the conservatory that is joining us, too. So we have Chinese students in the choir. They often have to have a translator help them with Eric’s instructions, and they giggle when he shows them his diction examples. During one of the breaks, I found him and greeted him with Dr. Moll’s best wishes from home. Eric showed great compassion in his face and hands as he broke character and had to know how “his friend” Charlie was doing. I gave him our good news that he is home and recovering and his very famous Eric-Smile broke out with clasped hands and I quote: “Please tell my friend, Charlie Moll, I said hello and that I am missing him.”
The kids hit a huge level of exhaustion and few made it back to the hotel without falling asleep on the bus. We are working to have an easier day today, as tonight’s rehearsal is promising to require even more work than last night’s. Sloane and Jessi have volunteered to audition tonight for one of the solos in one of his pieces. Kate Shealy met the group in the lobby when we got back to the hotel to ask everyone to be sure to do their homework today on the bus rides, and Emily has promised us she’ll keep her talking to a minimum so they can. Gee … we’re going to the Great Wall today (about 1.5 hour ride), singing there, eating there, and will continue to pinch ourselves … Oh my gosh, we’re in China!!!
Off to shower and breakfast!!!
Morgan will give you more bargaining details and rehearsal details next time.
Gwen, Morgan and John
Its 6 am Beijing time. We crashed and burned last night as it was a really full day. We were out and about from 8:30 am until 10:45 last night. Wonderful day, and sorry to make you wait for our report. Internet service here is expensive. I apologize up front for not reading or answering many emails, but just to get this typed and sent cost around 100 Yuan each time, so I’m using it as short a time as possible. I did read the great news that Dr. Moll is home and well. That news went around our bus yesterday morning with a resounding cheer and a … “Good luck, Mrs. Moll!” We’re wishing you LOTS of continued recovery and prayers for patience!!
[This is Gwen, by the way. Morgan is still sleeping. I know she’s SO the better storyteller, but she really needs her rest after last night’s rehearsal followed by tonight’s rehearsal.
After our 7am wakeup calls and fabulous breakfast again in the lobby, we headed out at 8:30 for the Beijing Zoo. All 6 pandas were out, all active and playful and on display in an elaborate exhibit, both indoor and outdoor. We had only 30 minutes, so we didn’t see the rest of the animals or the zoo itself beyond that. I did pick up a map and other information, as I know my brother-in-law, Perry, will surely be interested in seeing information from there.
It was a 45 minute drive, again through smog, again in 90 degree heat (but in our air conditioned bus), to the “Summer “Palace”, famous for being the “Dragon Lady” or Cixi, the Empress Dowager’s summer home. She conducted affairs of state through her emperor son, and then nephew, and then grandson (known as the “Last Emperor”). She was “Quite a Gal” as we would say. Read the novel, “Dragon Lady” to get her story. The haze made the 700+ acres hard to appreciate, but one could imagine the beauty. A 450 acre lake lies in the center of the land with palaces, temples, grand architecture and gardens all around its shores and up on the mountain to the north eastern side. The world famous marble boat is here, and quite a thing to see! Yes, marble floats, boys and girls, but do not try this at home. Cixi’s large mirror is still on its aft wall of the inner cabin. Narcissus evidently had some competition. We took a dragon boat ride across the lake (ooooo, translate cool breeze, moving air, sitting for small rest), and enjoyed meeting a family visiting from ….. you’ll never believe this ….. EXTON!! We gave them our business card, photo, and asked if they got there by digging or by airplane, and they agreed with us that the elevated route was preferable. They saw our nametag badges and came to greet us. We left them there, as we had to hop the bus to make lunch back in the center of the city. Before we boarded the bus, as there always are, Kim Smith, one of our students, befriended a little boy (maybe 4 years old??) and gave him a whistle. WOW what a little “universal language” smile she got, and many greetings and bows from the mother. As we drove away…. 3 minutes into a four-year-old’s obvious continuous whistle-blowing one man band performance….we drove away, only to catch the mother asking him to stop blowing!!! We laughed that maybe our “gifts” might not be!!!
We ate lunch, as always, family style with what are now familiar dishes, and always a dish we hadn’t seen yet. Some kids are getting plenty to eat, some kids aren’t eating much, but rest assured there’s always plenty to eat, but we aren’t force-feeding. In this particular restaurant, the servers wore traditional Chinese costumes and elaborate make-up and headwear. We were treated to a ceremonial after meal dance by one of the Chinese women. Very lovely, the American understanding of the word “grace” isn’t good enough to describe her movement, and we applauded and bowed as graciously as we could back to her.
After lunch, to the “Temple of Heaven” which is a very large area in the city with more different architecture and a round (haven’t seen this style yet) largest ceremonial temple on its highest ground. We walked along a very long outdoor corridor and reached an inner courtyard to view the museum displays and see up close the newly renovated and back to original state Ceremonial Temple. Exquisite, vast, colorful and an architectural wonder, as all of them are, knowing they were built before Chris Columbus met an American Indian…. The temple was not built with a single nail. Its held up with a series of pillars in circles (12 outer, 12 inner, and 4 central) that hold up the ceiling and outer walls much like a camping tent to us, only 9 stories tall instead!
A five minute walk took us to Pearl Market, famous for Americans, and always a stop for a US President to purchase jewelry for the First Ladies. Supposedly, Barbara Bush’s favorite pearls are bought here…. Laura Bush came to shop and “did some damage” as well! They have very respectful and appropriate photographs of them on the walls there. I can’t reveal any secrets, of course, but rest assured they’ll remember our crowd for years to come!!! I left our picture with the owner, and suggested they get it blown up for on their wall, as well! … gosh. Why did laughter break out from their ranks??? I told them we would be famous some day!!!
The jewelry store (“Sharon’s”) was on the 4th floor of a building. On the first floor, John, Morgan and I attempted (and in hindsight, succeeded) bargaining for some of their purchases. John wanted this amazing chess set. It’s in a gorgeous Chinese case, hand-carved playing pieces of Chinese characters, all made in wood … although I originally thought it was bone. [Morgan has to write this story. I’m still shaking from this one.] She’ll tell the story next time.
Back on the bus, and off to dinner. Here we met up with the other performer groups, met “Paul” the president of Kingsway International (our tour agency), and received the best service (gee wonder why) we’ve had so far. Many servers surrounded our tables (we sit at three large round tables at every meal) and kept food coming, and even put it on our plates for us this time. I checked last night, and every one of us now is only using chopsticks to eat!!! We got to see the other groups’ personal guides, and we’ve all agreed that our Emily is hands-down the best and speaks English the best, and she “gets it” with regards to our kids. We got brave and asked her age. She is 25, still living at home because that’s what women/girls do here until they are married. She is a graduate of Beijing University as an English Major…. Honors…. And she reads novels only in English. Chinese people choose their own “English names” and she chose to be called “Emily” because of her great love for both Emily Dickinson and Emily Bronte. I’m afraid she shamed many of us into admitting we hadn’t all read all of their works many times like she has. Frankly, I was very surprised to learn she has never been to the States, because she seems to understand our culture and refers to things as though she has seen and experienced them herself.
Bill and Kelly Goebel and I were the only non-performers that left dinner to head to the Chinese Conservatory of Music for our 7:30 – 10pm rehearsal with ….. ERIC! [Translation… girls with starry eyes, boys with dropped jaws] The other adults went back to the hotel for a restful evening and many massages. Bill, Kelly and I sat in the back of the auditorium and watched with amazement and awe as Eric worked with his intimate group of around 100, sorting through and bringing Mozart to life. One would think Eric knew the man personally. There is a choir from the conservatory that is joining us, too. So we have Chinese students in the choir. They often have to have a translator help them with Eric’s instructions, and they giggle when he shows them his diction examples. During one of the breaks, I found him and greeted him with Dr. Moll’s best wishes from home. Eric showed great compassion in his face and hands as he broke character and had to know how “his friend” Charlie was doing. I gave him our good news that he is home and recovering and his very famous Eric-Smile broke out with clasped hands and I quote: “Please tell my friend, Charlie Moll, I said hello and that I am missing him.”
The kids hit a huge level of exhaustion and few made it back to the hotel without falling asleep on the bus. We are working to have an easier day today, as tonight’s rehearsal is promising to require even more work than last night’s. Sloane and Jessi have volunteered to audition tonight for one of the solos in one of his pieces. Kate Shealy met the group in the lobby when we got back to the hotel to ask everyone to be sure to do their homework today on the bus rides, and Emily has promised us she’ll keep her talking to a minimum so they can. Gee … we’re going to the Great Wall today (about 1.5 hour ride), singing there, eating there, and will continue to pinch ourselves … Oh my gosh, we’re in China!!!
Off to shower and breakfast!!!
Morgan will give you more bargaining details and rehearsal details next time.
Gwen, Morgan and John
