Rhonda's First Post on Our Blog - Friday Adventure with the Carriers

The Wide and Narrow Lanes which dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1616 AD-1912 AD), is the epitome of the old life of Chengdu but this signage seems truly out of place!

Who would have ever guessed, ear irrigating would be such a popular activity at these major tourist sites such as Jinli Street or The Narrow and Wide Alleys.

Bridal pictures in one of the Narrow Alleys.  Beautiful Chinese couple dressed in traditional clothing.  

Local Sugar Figure Craftsman - a tiny sucker becomes an intricate, delicate, glass-like creation.

Peoples Park

Look no stool.  He squatted for hours as he sketched his models.

If you enjoy people watching then this is quite a feast for your eyes! The Carriers and I joined in the dancing and enjoyed the huge variety of Senior Citizen talent venues.  The stage areas were side by and side and the competition for attention was overwhelming.  The Chinese people are very welcoming and inviting and enjoyed our loud applause.

Singing, dancing, harmonica playing, choirs, 

marching bands and orchestras.

Elvis/Zorro!

Jinli Street

Jinli Street - Calligraphy Brush shop

Favorite egg custard tarts.  This is a favorite of mine!  (Rhonda) When Jessica and I visited Hong Kong in 2005, every morning we were in heaven when we found a bakery with these hot from the oven.  The best breakfast and treat all in one tiny tart!

8000 Warriors

So you have just conquered 6 other waring states and want to make sure that you will be safe with your own army after your death. Logically you would order 750,000 people to work for the next 34 years, constructing 8,000 Terracotta soldiers that would protect you when you died.  Such was the thinking of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.  He lived about 200 BC and was responsible for the creation of the Terracotta Warriors that we viewed in the city of Xian last week.  
Here are a few pictures:

Each warrior is unique!

Here is the cutest warrior I saw on the trip...

While we were in Xian (the old capital of China), we walked on the city wall that surrounds the city.  Here Rhonda stands next to some beautiful architecture on the wall

The sun was setting as I took this shot from the wall...

While in Xian, we also attended an evening performance of traditional dancing and music.  Below I tried to capture one of the dances.  Lots of acrobatics going on as you can see...

One day Rhonda and I went for a stroll in a nearby park near campus.  We heard something that sounded like a whip.  When we arrived, we saw an elderly man using a whip to turn a very large top.  It is called Tuo Luo in Chinese.  After watching him for a few minutes, he turned to me and handed me the whip.  It was great fun.  I was able to keep the top spinning fairly well, but must of looked pretty funny, since I drew a bit of a crowd.  

I decided to leave my shirt on, but most of the other men who were also doing Tuo Luo, had theirs off...maybe it helps!

I will end this blog post with another picture of the best part of China...the children.