Chengdu Day 1

Chengdu

We are now in the city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province. This is a “moderate” size town of nearly 9 million people. Chengdu has the look and feel of a western industrial city….a welcome change from the frenetic pace and minute-to-minute challenge of holding on to life, limb and sanity in Beijing. We are staying a few blocks from the center of town, near the city square and the giant statue of Mao (where all the Chinese tourists must have their picture taken.)

Chengdu is a pleasant city, with many parks and public spaces. Today we spent several hours in “The People’s Park.” It was lush with trees, azaleas and rhodies, sculptures, pavilions and locals young and old. A group of women practicing Tai Chi, a Chinese band and singers entertaining the crowd, a cluster of serious men surrounding the Chinese chess tables, kids running amuck in the grass. And my personal favorite: a hundred people dancing swing, foxtrot and waltz to Chinese music broadcast from a boom box. I had a wonderful time dancing with a couple of older Chinese gentlemen. I think they enjoyed it too.

I have been working hard on perfecting my chopstick technique, and thought I was getting proficient….I can manage fruit, fried eggs, those squiggly steamed dumplings, and various stir-fried dishes….until I met the Xi’an 2-foot long home-made noodle. Now I am working on my head in the bowl and slurp technique. I’ll keep you all informed….

Public restrooms in China lack a couple of essentials normally found in western toilets. There is no toilet paper, so I have taken to secreting away extra napkins whenever possible. Also, there is no toilet. Imagine my surprise when I entered my first “WC” to find an oval ceramic bowl in the floor, equipped with foot treads on either side. I have adjusted, but have a new appreciation for the talent of taking aim without being able to see the goal. ‘Nuff said….I will leave the rest to your imagination.

We are off to visit the Tibetan area today. More later.........

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