|
Our Adventure Continues
Click
on any picture to enlarge
then hit your browsers Back Button to return |
| Day 3 started with the excellent
breakfast at the hotel followed by a short ride to the start of
what was a highlight of our stay in Beijing, the Rickshaw ride! |
|
|
|
After starting off from a side street we
were quickly taken into the un-modernised streets of an older part
of Beijing. This was quite an experience, weaving in and out of
the morning traffic but the driver just assumed he had right of
way and ploughed on ending up at the square with the Bell Tower
shown in the picture for a short stop. |
| The driver was very good at making sure
he had us on board along with everybody else in the party before
we set off again. The fact that it looks like Pat has her knickers
round her ankles is purely a chance effect of the photo! She would
like to point out that she would never wear anything like that
anyway. Judging by Alistair's look, I'm not so sure........... |
|
|
|
Next stop was a private Kindergarten
where the children sang for us. They live and sleep in dormitories
during the term time. The school certainly seemed to have good
facilities including several music rooms equipped with pianos. |
|
This is a bit of real Beijing. Side streets off the main road are
cramped with small houses.
|
|
|
|
The hutongs of old Beijing are where the ordinary people have lived
for hundreds of years. It is quite a contrast to the modern face of
the city centre.
|
|
The homes are laid out in small courtyards. We stopped for a look
around one small house. Inside was a lady who answered our questions
about living in Beijing and showed us round quite proudly her small
but comfortable accommodation. The courtyard was tranquil and cool
with birds in a large cage and fish in a small pond. Very peaceful.
|
|
|
|
Click to continue |
