China '99 trip

week 2

may 20-22, 1999

Luo Yang

Thursday, May 20.

We looked around Luo Yang today. First order of business was to see the temple of Kwang-Kong-- it has something to do with the feudal times of China. (There were 3 eras during the feudal period: Han, Yu, and Chi-- you'll have to pardon how I Anglicized the names) My mom found this place quite interesting-- I guess it puts images to all those history classes she took during high school.

Afterwards, we went to the waterside to see the carvings of Buddha in the wall. Carved over 1000 years ago, it was supposed to be where the emperors came for spirituality. However, weather and Western archeologists damaged the site and it is only a shell of what it once was. The largest outdoor carving of the Buddha is here. Walking along the waterfront as well as the various stairs to catch a glimpse of the various carvings took us a great portion of the morning.

Before taking the bus to the next city, we visited this family that lived below ground level. It's hard to describe-- imagine a pit 20 feet deep and flanked with caves along the perimeter. This elderly woman of some 83 years has been living there for over 60 years (she was married and her husband took her there). Having no formal education and bound feet, this woman has a perfectly clear memory and good health. Her very local accident (it was almost as if she wasn't speaking Mandarin!) characterized the very simple yet diverse life she lived. A very animated conversation on the history of China through her eyes (for example, the Japanese invasion during WW2 and the comparison of life before and after the communists took over) allowed us to understand how China has progressed throughout the years. Even my mom had difficulty understanding some of her local expressions but managed to 'crack the accent code' and translated to me what the woman had to say.

Shao Lin Temple

Friday, May 21.

After leaving the hotel early in the morning, we road the bus up to the mountains (approximately one-third of China's topography is mountainous). We first went to see a Shao Lin fighting monks performance. While the show went on, my parents both receive some Chee Kong performed on them by a Shao Lin monk. Chee Kong masters have this uncanny ability to rectify any imbalances to the electrical energies and life-forces in the body causing disease and illness. My dad has poor motor function in his legs and my mom has migraines. My dad said he felt little to no effect after treatment whereas my mom immediately had a reduction in headache symptoms. Perhaps my mom had a partial placebo effect but who knows? I am always skeptical about spook cures to chronic ailments. Any scientific evidence supporting its efficacy???

Anyway, the performance was very entertaining. In particular they had this one very young lad do some really funky, powerful moves. He was almost as versatile as a monkey. Impressive. Didn't take any pictures because I was feeling a little lazy and I didn't want to blind someone in the middle of a performance.

After the performance, the Shao Lin monk was pushing his herbal extract to the tourgroup. If I were literate in Chinese, I could tell you exactly what this cure-all potion could solve-- some of its claims are ridiculous. This is the very reason why Westerners are ripping up traditional Chinese medicines. The government needs to crack down on this hocus-pocus claims if they want the international medical community to give them an ounce of respect.

Afterwards, we were shown the first Buddhist temple in China-- the white horse temple. Not much to see but it was historical. I must admit there were a few cool looking art work pieces worth taking a picture of. The visit was proceeded with the standard fare lunch and visit to a mini-pagoda / cemetary for the monks who attained high status. Saw more of those state run stores before going back into the 'big city'.

That night, we were served dinner at the International Hotel. Good food-- would recommend the place to anyone visiting that area-- lots of variety. Anna and I walked around the hotel in search of potable water after dinner. Not much was open, compared to other metropolises like Shanghai or Xian, but there was enough night life to find what we needed. I wound up watching CNN and the rest of the movie, Canadian Bacon, before calling it a night.

Yellow River

Saturday, May 22.

We got up early this morning to see the Yellow River (He Bei). We boarded this welfarfe hovercraft. Luckily, we didn't get conned into riding a horse or buy firecrackers (don't ask me why those merchants were there!) There was also a couple of places to sightsee and look over the Yellow River but those scenic viewpoints overlooked nothing but powerlines. Talk about poor planning on the Central Agency's part... There was one monument worth mentioning. A scupture of a woman breastfeeding a baby signified how the river (as represented by the mother) nurtures the people (the baby). The use of symbolism was very powerful here...

On the way back, we toured the obligatory jade store before lunch. The ride there was an experience-- our driver is super aggressive. He even looks like a Chinese-equivalent to the Street Fighter character, Guile, but with a pot-belly. This guy would be driving with one hand on the wheel and the other hand on the horn. I can see why so many Chinese people are really bad drivers. The ironic part is that there are hardly any accidents. Lunch was really good-- great service (we were in a private room) and the food was tasty. Too bad there wasn't business cards otherwise I'd recommend this place as well.

After the meal, we did head for the airport-- Tsun Tso in Henan province. The flight was to Beijing-- that was instead of taking the dreaded train! (we paid extra but it was more than worth it. The airport was new-- building was not even completed but one good thing-- we boarded the plane directly from the gate. The plane was taxi'ed almost immediately after the plane door closed and all the passengers were seated. (Ed: In the airport, I found the strangest boxes of condoms-- and in all places-- China!) I sat next to Mrs. Yong, one of my mom's friends. I was surprised to discover that she was really talkative. Refreshments on the plane were peanuts and Pepsi.

Our figurative 'last supper' on our tour was at a local 'tseow tse' (meat dumplings) place near the hotel in Beijing. We walked there via the underground pass-- about 15 of us in total. Food was good and extremely cheap-- our fill for 25RMP ($5 Canadian) each. One very unique thing at this restaurant (which is very famous to Beijing locals) is the way they serve tea. It's one of those funky herbal teas with a whole ton of leaves, dried flowers and a dried date-- however, there's this one guy in a red ves that periodically comes by with a hot water pot with a long thin spout about 2 feet long. I can't believe how accurate he is-- not a drop of hot water spilled on the table...

That night instead of walking around with Anna and her cousin, Susan, I stayed in to catch up on rest. (I think this cold that's been going around the tour group has finally stumbled upon me!) Watched some music videos on Channel V as well as catch a movie and soccer (Manchester United beat Newcastle 2-0). Went to sleep around midnight.