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INDIVIDUAL VOYAGE THROUGH CHINA DURING 7 WEEKS PEKING XIAN CHENGDU CHONGQING YANGTZE RIVER MOUNTS HUANGSHAN HANGZHOU SUZHOU SHANGHAI PEKING
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
The old city
During the next days we go discovering the old traditional city that’s why, here we are early in the morning. In this district we can notice the evidence of the extremely density still more than on Nanjing lu. In very narrow lanes, just enough space to go side-by-side, style of life is especially attractive. I feel a little indiscreet passing near people brushing their teeth, washing their hair (on the street) though they don’t mind it seems. I remember the toilets exempt of partitions on the road to Huangshan; so it’s obvious they don’t have the problem of promiscuity. I would like to know is it the result of the narrowness of the habitats or the mentality of this people. To difficult question for Westerns! On the pavement stoves smoke, washing machines work, women prepare vegetables merchants bring in baskets on their shoulders. Now we walk under wash hanging between wooden houses. Around us only ease and smiling faces. Being back home I’m sure I’ll think well of our way of living and exigencies to feel happy.
Yu Yuan, a charming garden created for Mandarin Yu five centuries ago. Crossing a zigzag bridge we enter a pavilion adapted into a cha-dian (tea house). The enigma of the zigzag bridges is finally solved: the devil going exclusively straight cannot cross it.
On the floor a typical ambient. Around little tables young people very nice looking enjoy their tea in the usual miniature cups. We enjoy the pleasant place and jasmine tea. Like in Chengdu, a hostess walk around with hot water filling the empty cups. I like the look of the tender girls dressed in black pants and pink blouses delicately embroided; others wear mohair sweaters adorn with little white pearls. A very relaxed and discrete company. The scenery harmonizes with traditional ancient melodies three old Chinese are playing on strange string instruments. Unforgettable moments!
In the old city we join an interested group looking at the players of xiangqi; it’s a sort of chess where tanks, horses, guns, solders and generals are confronted. The actors sitting on low stools are absolutely concentrated ignoring the spectators.
Tea house Yu Yuan
During the next days we go discovering the old traditional city that’s why, here we are early in the morning. In this district we can notice the evidence of the extremely density still more than on Nanjing lu. In very narrow lanes, just enough space to go side-by-side, style of life is especially attractive. I feel a little indiscreet passing near people brushing their teeth, washing their hair (on the street) though they don’t mind it seems. I remember the toilets exempt of partitions on the road to Huangshan; so it’s obvious they don’t have the problem of promiscuity. I would like to know is it the result of the narrowness of the habitats or the mentality of this people. To difficult question for Westerns! On the pavement stoves smoke, washing machines work, women prepare vegetables merchants bring in baskets on their shoulders. Now we walk under wash hanging between wooden houses. Around us only ease and smiling faces. Being back home I’m sure I’ll think well of our way of living and exigencies to feel happy.
Yu Yuan, a charming garden created for Mandarin Yu five centuries ago. Crossing a zigzag bridge we enter a pavilion adapted into a cha-dian (tea house). The enigma of the zigzag bridges is finally solved: the devil going exclusively straight cannot cross it.
On the floor a typical ambient. Around little tables young people very nice looking enjoy their tea in the usual miniature cups. We enjoy the pleasant place and jasmine tea. Like in Chengdu, a hostess walk around with hot water filling the empty cups. I like the look of the tender girls dressed in black pants and pink blouses delicately embroided; others wear mohair sweaters adorn with little white pearls. A very relaxed and discrete company. The scenery harmonizes with traditional ancient melodies three old Chinese are playing on strange string instruments. Unforgettable moments!
In the old city we join an interested group looking at the players of xiangqi; it’s a sort of chess where tanks, horses, guns, solders and generals are confronted. The actors sitting on low stools are absolutely concentrated ignoring the spectators.
Tea house Yu Yuan
Posted by: jeanette / 1:55 AM 
