Tracey's NewsletterJan 7 2013 | 2 Comments
BEIJING – I HAVE FORGOTTEN WHAT DAY IT IS
One gets to that point in a trip when everyone is ready to go home. Lucy said yesterday she misses New York. I think we have had enough duck and dumplings and not being understood. It’s fast traveling and the language does become an issue. It’s also not a warm fuzzy place; not that we search the world for warmth and fuzziness – but the time has come. Today is our last day. Yesterday by night fall we hit our own great wall.
But before that we went off in search for the kinder, gentler China…
We headed off to the Lama Temple which is the largest Buddhist Temple in Beijing. It sits in a neighborhood that has retained the old China. One finds Hutongs (the small alleyways) little shops and monks wandering about – the Asia I prefer to spend long periods of time in.
We had no intention of doing so but we wandered into a Chinese doctor’s office. She was amazingly accurate and all she did was look at our palms. Though she did tug on Taylor’s ears a few times.
Glenn getting diagnosis from Chinese doctor. The girl is good.
Lucy hearing about her possible health issues. She's OK.
Tables of incense sold outside the Temple.
Gate to the Lama Temple
They are a series of buildings that go on and on.
The gate at the entrance to the Lama Temple.
Each structure houses a different Buddha.
You really can't get the scope of how big this is. I have seen some big Buddhas but this one was right up there with the best.
FYI SOME OF THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN ON THE RUN. I WAS REPRIMANDED BY A MONK.
One after the other..
This is the first one you meet.
I can stare at Buddhas for days. The kids do not share my sentiment.
Ceiling in one of the Shrines.
We wandered back through these amazing structures to the streets of Beijing.
Street in front of Temple.
A glimpse back in time.
Lucy made a friend and we all decided to give up bacon.
So...next time you are thinking of a ham and swiss on rye, remember him.
It's a very pretty part of town and they seem to work hard to keep it that way. I hope they don't tear these down and put up giant buildings.
I always wonder what is behind every door.
We found an alley.
With an old world tea house at the end of it.
It was run by not such an old world girl.
In keeping with the theme of the kindler, gentler Beijing we opted to follow the Luxe guide again and went for lunch to a place called Pure Lotus, “Stately, Dark, Ex-Monk Run, Temple Like Treat.”
Truly a memorable meal. Perhaps the most memorable of the trip. Camera was on the fritz, almost all of them seem to be, don’t know what is up. So pictures do not do it justice. But if you ever find yourself in this city, get thee to Pure Lotus. It was the perfect follow up to the Lama Temple.
This guy greets you in the parking lot.
Entrance to Pure Lotus. It is very dark and mostly candle lit inside.
All vegetarian and no booze. This is the tea they serve.
The best vegetarian curry I have ever had.
Lucy being served. The waiters all wore sequin tunics. Not sure what set of monks sport those.
Mock Duck Rolls made with tofu.
The meals are eaten off of shells.
Mango tart for dessert.
We also had a strawberry one.
Then they brought us mandarin oranges floating in a bowl of dry ice.
Even the obligatory toothpicks were presented with style.
Every corner had something like this in it.
Unable to continue our day of calm we headed off to the Pearl Market. I thought it was three floors of people selling pearls. It was one floor of pearl wholesalers and two gigantic floors of people selling all the things they make here that often end up being sold on American streets.
The pearl floor was interesting. I’m not a big pearl person. I don’t think after a certain age they are that flattering. Though Glenn kept wanting to buy me a strand of them. It was very sweet but I refused. I tried on pink ones..No. I tried on black ones…to somber…white were too grandma like. So we passed on the pearls.
The other floors were beyond chaotic. You name it, if it says made in China( no cars) but everything else, it was being hawked. They had guards all around so taking photos was really tough. The girls had a great time. I was trying to keep my zen.
A lot cheaper than Rimowas.
Everyone was yelling Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton.
We ended up back at the hotel. We could not face another night out or even another meal. We all hit the wall.
At nine-fifteen Lucy called and said she was going to sleep. By then we were already in bed. Today is our last day. We’re going back to see if we can’t find Mao.
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Meg
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http://www.traceyjacksononline.com/ Tracey Jackson
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