Do you know how banning fishing came about?

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Em Ma took us to the Summer Palace, the residence of the emperors during the hot Beijing summers. The most interesting part of the Summer Palace history is the story of the Dragon Lady. After her husband died, she ruled through her young son, and when he died, through her nephew. She wasn't a very nice lady, but she did have a lot of power.

The Summer Palace is located around a lake shaped like a Bat. As we were near the lake, Em Ma asked" Do you know how banning fishing came about?" "Maybe because of over fishing, or maybe pollution in the lake?" I answered. "WHAT?????" said Em Ma, too polite to call me stupid. She then went on to describe a story of a young empress who was afraid that a concubine was stealing her husband's affections. This concubine was a wonderful dancer, so at one of the "parties" the empress created a cloud dance where her tiny feet looked like they were dancing on clouds. The emperor was so impressed, he ruled that all the ladies should have tiny feet and feet binding became a custom. It took me a while to realize that Em Ma wasn't asking about banning fishing but about binding feet. Old ears listening to a foreign accent....

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Photos

Jac and Phoenix
The phoenix is the symbol of the female, the dragon of the male. The Dragon Lady used the symbol of the phoenix but still had all the power.

The Peking Opera
Seeing the Peking Opera was one of the highlights of our trip, and part of the show is the actors putting on their make-up. The opera has no scenery, just the motion of the actors, it is really, really funny!

Peking Opera
They serve snacks and tea, and the tea is served quite theatrically.

Vist to Chen Lu
I wanted to go to the potteries in Chen Lu. The scenery was worth the drive.

Jon
Jon was our guide in Xian. He hadn't been to Chen Lu before, we really made him work for his money.

Scenery
Xian countryside.

The walls of Chen Lu
are made of the reject pottery, fantastic.

Best lunch
was in the countryside at Chen Lu. The food was so good.

Potter
An example from the factory, we also went to see an artisan, but I forgot to go tot he bank machine before (I know Ken is glad.)

Xian with fountains
This is the view from the pagotta, Xian is filled with city parks

Riding the city wall
Another day we wore out Jon. He had never had anyone ride the entire wall before, in 90 degree heat, besides.

8th wonder of the world
The Terra Cotta are a must see.

More Terra Cotta
In case you ever need a picture like this.