I Climbed the Great Wall AND Ate the Scorpion

Monday December 1, 2008

WHAT a day! Today was simply magical. I’ve visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and begun to experience life in China! And yes, I ate a scorpion!

China unveiled itself for the world at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Today I was able to catch a small piece of the magic of the Olympics.  I was able to see the Olympic Village, the Birds’ Nest, the Water Cube where Michael Phelps changed the face of swimming, as well as the buildings for Tennis, and Field Hockey.  The Birds Nest is quite simply a work of art! It is enormous, modern, and breathtaking. I was literally giddy with excitement at the opportunity to see this architectural phenomenon. Next to the Birds’ Nest is home to the building that we will always associate with Michael Phelps – the Water Cube! To know the magic that occurred in both buildings and be able to witness it was a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.

 Birds Nest

Water Cube

WOW!

We were able to witness the Olympic Village on our way through the city to the Friendship Store. I was able to capture images of the city of Beijing along the ride. It was an interesting glimpse of the vast urban scrawl, where budding skyscrapers dominated the landscape. Yet there were also farmers’ houses made of red brick along the drive.

When we arrived at the Friendship Store, we were able to tour a Cloisinee factory. Cloisinee is an artistic tradition handed down through generations. This artistic process involves a multitude of highly intricate steps and results in, quite simply, a work of art. The process begins with copper and a design that is traced on the pottery. Next thin leaf copper is soldered onto the pottery. Powdered enamel is then added, and the pottery is fired in the kiln to bake the powder. The process is finished with polishing.  My father has shared cultural works of art with me from his travels to Russia, and so I was able to make some interesting connections to this timeless process. You remember studying art history in school, right? Ancient art tells so much about a culture. Cloisinee represented the beauty, visual poetry, and symbolism of the Beijing culture for me.

Following the tour, we ate lunch at the Dayi Restaurant at the Friendship Store. Meals here are served on “lazy Susan’s.” The meal is a dining experience compared to our western approach. We were treated to cucumber, fried nuts, smart tomato, fried shelled shrimp, fried beef with black pepper, fried eggplant with pork, fried spring roll, mushroom soup, and fried rice.

After lunch we were given less than an hour to shop at the store. I cannot disclose the results of this brief shopping experience, but will say that my kids have some unique gifts to look forward to!

 Gifts for Bobby and Gracie

ONTO THE GREAT WALL

I’m getting goosebumps just writing about the Great Wall of China. I’m not sure that my words can adequately describe the visual and physical experience of climbing the wall. During the Ming Dynasty, a series of seven walls were connected to protect China, thus creating the Great Wall. It is approximately 6,000 km (4,000 miles) long. We were able to visit the top part of the wall. You’ll see from my pictures that there were many watch towers along the wall, where guards stood to keep watch for Monguels threatening China. You’ll also see from the images the hand made steps -- steps that were different shapes, heights, and sizes. One minute my feet were scampering up small little inclines and the next I was taking tall strides to climb to the next level. I’ll never look at a stairmaster quite the same!

 I Climbed the Great Wall of China

This wonder of the world is not something that you simply pause and take in visually. You experience it! The climb is strenuous. At each platform along the way, tourists could be found panting and catching their breath. Smiles and camaraderie were shared, as tourists decided if they were ready to continue their ascent. At each level, some climbers turned back, and fewer and fewer continued the journey.

The views along the climb were exhilarating. You could literally feel the history and the sum of the many lives that were dedicated to the erection of this structure. I was proud; I made it nearly to the top in our 2 hours at the wall. But coming down was almost more difficult. My legs were shaky from the height that I was able to travel, and so coming down on the irregular steps was a careful process. I made new friends with other members of the delegation as we celebrated and shared our accomplishment of climbing the wall. I also bought for myself at the top of the wall, a jade paperweight commemorating the event!

I felt exhilarated, exhausted, and elated simultaneously.  I traveled across the world to experience first hand a defining, symbolic structure for the Chinese. I did it! I climbed the Great Wall of China! 

I ATE THE SCORPION

Seriously, I did it! I must confess that initially I just posed with the scorpion and “pretended” to eat it for the purpose of capturing the moment on film. I couldn’t imagine actually putting a BUG in my mouth! BUT, alas, “when in Rome….” And anyway, everyone else at the table was doing it!

 I ate a Scorpion

So, yes, Gracie and Bobby, your MOM ATE A BUG! And, no, it doesn’t “taste like chicken,” but rather it was more like popcorn! It wasn’t quite like Fear Factor or the Immunity Challenges on Survivor, but it’s the closest that I’ll ever come!

The actual point of our dinner meal was for the delegation to experience Beijing Roast Duck, a Chinese tradition. We ate at the Qianmen Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant, near Tianamen Square. Again, we were served on Lazy Susan’s.  The Scorpion was part of several appetizers. Other items on the menu included sauteed prawn ball in sichuan sauce, lemon chicken, beef fillet with vegetable, stir-fried fresh vegetables, duck soup made from the bone of the duck, and of course, Beijing Duck.  Carvers stood near our table to carve the meat, which was then eaten on flat pastries with sauce and scallions. It was actually quite delicious, but eating the scorpion dominated the meal!

TIANAMEN SQUARE

A few of us left the formal delegation following dinner, and scurried over to Tianamen Square before it closed for the day! I read Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China as preparation for the trip. (My Book Club joined me on the reading adventure… thanks girls! It had been recommended to me by David Greer, a dear friend who is living and working in Africa). The controversial book is outlawed in China, and provides a detailed glimpse into three generations of life in China. I share my reading journey with you because it gave me wonderful background knowledge for journeying to Tianamen Square, where Chairman Mao’s portrait still hangs in full glory. Tianamen Square was an important site in the cultural revolution of this country. I encourage you to read the book!

So in 24 hours, I experienced one of the seven wonders of the world, saw the site one of the most elaborate Olympic games to date,  witnessed an intricate artistic process handed down through generations, visited the site of the cultural revolution, and ate a bug.

To see more of today's pictures, go to share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZNGjFw3cM2TrI

Funny Expressions:

I promise I’m not obsessed with restrooms, but I have taken pictures of several of the “Chinese style toilets” on this trip. Our guide shared a cute term to explain the differences between western and Chinese style toilets that I simply must share with you.

Western Style Restrooms are “5 Star Restrooms.” Chinese Style Restrooms are “One Star.”

These Chinese style toilets are a bit of a shock for a westerner like me who doesn’t even like to camp!

Expanding Vocabulary:

Xia xia – Thank You

Boo xia – You’re Welcome