In the Canyon

         We went with Berry and Beth Stratton and a driver, Michael, to get out of the city on Saturday.  We went up into a canyon by a reservoir where we could hike a little and enjoy a fresh fish lunch in the early spring sunshine.

    Our driver oversees operations as our fish is headed for the kitchen.  He asks if we want it served raw or cooked.  We went with cooked.  This is a favorite thing for locals to do.      Michael told us, "You can't read about it in books."  In other words, it isn't advertised for tourists.

The fish is immediately killed and cleaned

Catching the fish Michael chose for us.

Wedding Photograher for Hire

OK, I learned that our little camera can't be turned on its side to take videos. It's easier for you to turn your computer than for me to do what it takes to show it upright.  I almost didn't post this but it's cute. Sorry!  : )

Wedding Parade - 2

More pictures from the wedding:




The groom leads his modest bride to the palanquin, where her face is covered with a red veil.





Then the parade is off again. The chief clown, with gong in hand, was happy to show off for the camera.







The lady pictured seemed to be in charge, telling people what to do, when to stop and start--and dancing all the time in between giving orders.





The ceremony, as we've heard described, is very simple. The bride and groom invoke heaven's blessings, and then bow to their parents and to the north, south, east and west.








The parade made its way back through town, no doubt headed to the dinner.

Wedding Parade

This was SO much fun! An old-style wedding party, complete with musicians, paraded by our apartment yesterday, so we ran down and followed them.



The happy groom rode on horseback to pick up the bride at her apartment building. Musicians and attendants carried banners--the Year of the Dragon--a good year to be married. They danced along the streets to the constant music.



There were firecrackers, of course, and the entertainers danced and clowned around some more while waiting for the bride to come out.



We only got a brief glimpse of her before she was veiled and seated in the palanquin. Then they were off again, through the streets of town.



It was fun, seeing all the onlookers grin happily as they watched or passed by.

Cave Dwellers - Chinese homes

When we took the 2-hour Express Train to Laoluong, we passed green farmlands among small, low cliffs. "What are all those caves?" I kept asking. It looked to us like people lived in them.

Sure enough, it's common. From what we've read, it's the kind of thing this fast developing country would like to improve upon, so cave homes aren't discussed much. They may not want to brag about them, but they're wonderfully sustainable. Rog found this LA Times article today.
Photo: photography-on-the.net

Biking on the Old City Wall - Xi'an

This week we rode bikes up on the Old City Wall. It's 10 miles square, the oldest intact city wall in the world. Here's a map, and other people's pictures. In the early 1980's, most of the ancient wall was re-bricked, and they dredged the moat that surrounds it, and made lovely parks most of the way around.


The Wall is 40' wide at the top, plenty of room for cars, but there are none--just bikers and walkers. This time of year it's been GRAY, but it has warmed up enough that it felt good to get out.

FYI, inside the Wall, it's business as usual, with traffic, and apartment buildings, stores (Walmart, etc.) and government offices. It does hold several major landmarks because Xi'an was China's capital for 13 dynasties.




Afterwards, we took a bike-cab home. That's an adventure all by itself!