Rickshaws, Mrs. Wu, Silk Factory, Tiananmen Square, and more!

Today, we got quite a taste of the Chinese culture.  We ate breakfast at our hotel (and Mac and Mattie would be happy to know that they served French fries for breakfast) and then headed out with our tour guide George to go and visit a local grandmother named Mrs. Wu. 

To get to Mrs. Wu's house, we were dropped off by our car driver and then a driver of a rickshaw took Strider and I (and George followed behind) down these narrow alleyways that are too small for cars.  The part of the city where Mrs. Wu lives is the older part of the city- George called it "Old Beijing."  Mrs. Wu didn't speak any English, so we asked some questions to her and George translated for us.  She served us hot green tea in these miniature paper cups.  She had also set out snacks of peanuts, miniature oranges, and sweet pretzelish things.  They were all delicious, but what impressed us the most was her hospitality.  It was  so beautiful to be in such a humble home, yet she was so happy to have us visit her.  After saying goodbye, Strider and I got back in the rickshaw and headed back to our car.  The first part of today totally felt like we were on an episode of The Amazing Race!  #surreal

                                                              Our rickshaw driver

 

                                       the narrow alleyways on the way to Mrs. Wu's house

 

                                                       Strider drinking hot green tea

 

                                                                     our snacks

 

                                                                     Mrs. Wu

 

lots and lots of rickshaws

 

Next, we visited a silk factory where they hand-make quilts, duvets, clothes, pillows, scarves, etc.  We learned that one silk worm (once it rolls itself into a cocoon) makes a single thread that is 1,300 meters long.  But, the thread is so thin that they put 8 threads together to make a thicker single strand.  Also, once they are done unrolling the cocoon, which they use to make silk products, just the silk worm is left.   Our tour guide told us that Koreans and Southern Chinese people are especially fond of eating the worms.  Apparently, they fry them up and everything. 

 

different stages of silk worms- they go from eggs to worms in 26 days

silk worm cocoons

 

                                              silk worm after the cocoon has been removed

 

Then, we visited Tiananmen Square.  Several government buildings surround the huge square. 

 

                                                                Tiananmen Square
                                     
                                     
                          This is the Hall of Great People, where government meetings are held.

 

Huge big screen tvs on the Square showed rotating pictures and videos of Chinese performances and accomplishments

 

                                                          Chinese National Museum

 

              Tower of Heroes commemorating the heroes that have died in wars fighting for China

After all that touring, we worked up an appetite!  George took us to this restaurant called the Kim Mansion Gate Roast Duck Shop (REALLY long name for a restaurant with REALLY good food!) George ordered for us and it was by far the best Chinese food that we've ever tasted! In America, we've been eating slop disguised as Chinese food.  This stuff was AMAZING!

 

 That tiny glass on the left is the coke I ordered.  The glass on the right is hot green tea with green tea leaves in it.

 

 Mushrooms and cabbage on the left, sweet and sour chicken in the middle, and eggplant and onions on the right.  It was all amazingly delicious!