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Published: December 1st 2012
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A Saturday with no obligations, fine cool weather, with a semblance of blue sky; time for a stroll around Daming Lake.
But firstly let me tell you about my new love: sexy, sophisticated, super, sleek, smooth, supple, silky, stretchy, slinky, and strong; everything you would want in a pair of warm tights. I bought them after the failure of my thick pantyhose I had brought over from Australia, from turning my legs mottled purple due to wind chill and cold.
With a size that said M to XXL I was a little dubious as to whether they were talking my XL or theirs, but they are super stretchy and so warm and cosy under my cords and jeans.
So me and my many layers of clothing ventured forth for a big walk to the lake, around the lake and then the plan was to walk across to QuanCheng St, a little bit of shopping, and the bus home.
Despite the weather being chilly this does not deter the Chinese from being out and about. Parks and gardens are popular spots to dance, meet, chat and exercise. T
Today the table
tennis was in full swing as was badminton, men were doing a martial arts with long chains and whipping them, children and parents played in the sand area, people were in the tourist boats going around the lake, groups of ladies were dancing and people were strolling and enjoying being out and about.
There is always snack food to be bought here and there, with the tiny toffeed apples on a stick always popular, popped wheat and corn on a stick and my new favourite, almond nuts and sesame seeds in a thin toffee sheet. The Chinese seem to be always snacking and remain thin, but normal meals are very lean with little meat, loads of veges and a small dose of carbs such as wheat products, various types of noodles, potatoes and some rice. There are few sweets or deserts; yoghurt is popular as a drink as is soy milk of various flavours and fruit is eaten a lot.
Daming Lake (Lake of Great Splendour) covers 45 hectares right in the middle of the old part of the city, fed by the spring waters, only around 3 metres deep. Numerous pavilions, bridges and
Rebellion
Look closely at the sign which clearly says no angling with this guy sitting behind the bushes with his long pole dangling in the water gardens are immaculately kept and maintained. References to it go back 1500 years in Chinese literature.
The lake is popular at night, with many dancing groups in the various open areas doing the Chinese version of line dancing; stylised and learnt movements to soppy ballads. An instrumental drum group were having a great time with women nearby doing free form dancing to the beat. You often hear people singing away to themselves as they walk, they are really tuneful, could it be possibly due to Chinese language being tonal that it may get people’s ears tuned up early??? Coloured light displays adorn the various pavilions, subtly is not one of the Chinese virtues when it comes to light displays.
I found the alleyway walk to QuenCheng St easily at the Western end of the lake, and headed off to look at the little park in the government area. Pearl Spring is the focal point of this area, one of the 72 springs in and around Jinan.
Huge goldfish and carp were happily swimming in the canal and pools, very peaceful and quiet little area just off the main shopping street and the madness
that is the commercial heart of Jinan.
Walmart beckoned me again! Have to stay out of the shops, I keep finding things that are so cheap, today it was Christmas stocking at only Y3-9 (around 75c) and a woolly hat for Y9 ($1-75) My luggage situation is looking grim, I have sooooo much stuff I havepurchased and have started ditching clothes I brought over, my old winter PJ’s were given the flick today, am sleeping in tights and T shirt!
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