October 13, 2007
Well, we walked our legs off today and had fun doing it. Kim, from Rainbow School met us at the hotel at 8:30 AM and we were off to the city. First we went to the Bell Tower where there the ancient bell was rung to waken the people. We then went to the Muslim Market, which is like a flea market, across the way near the Drum Tower which housed the drums used to call the people in at the end of the day. We chose a few items and Kim bargained for us. We doubled back through the food district and saw the unusual foods on the street side. The weather was cool with NO RAIN so we strolled down South Street toward the Culture Street where there were many calligraphy and jade shops. South Street is the entrance into the city used by dignitaries. After strolling through some back streets, we took a cab back to the Drum Tower area where we had dumplings for lunch. Kim took us to the area the locals eat. The dumplings are like won tons with different kinds of fillings.
Over lunch we asked Kim about the changes in China. She remembers the Cultural Revolution very well. When she was a child of 4, her father was taken and punished because his family owned land. Her father's brother-in-law was punished because he had studied in Japan. The people in the city had no food. They had vouchers for 1 kilogram (about 2.5 pounds) of rice per month and vouchers for clothing. She remembers hiding for fear they would be taken away not knowing why. Fortunately for her, the cultural revolution ended by the time she was a high school graduate and was among the few who were allowed to go to university where she studied to become an English teacher. She has been teaching at Rainbow School for 20 years. In China it is not easy to change jobs. Once you have a job like hers, you do not have permission to move to another province (state) or another city in your province. You must stick to it or you will lose your pension or any other benefits.
We also learned about China’s one-child policy instituted in 1984. It is really population replacement as you may have a child to replace yourself. The birth recordings are closely watched. In the outlying villages, there are government officials living in the village who know and watch all the villagers so that no one has a child without recording the birth. All children must be born in the hospitals—no home births allowed. Most children born after 1984 are an only child. If someone has more children, they face a very high fine and maybe lose their job.
After lunch we headed for the department store. Since shoes were on the shopping list, both Rich & I found shoes. Rich managed to replace his “holey” ones that were leaking in the rain. We went to a second department store. By this time, about 1PM, the streets were packed with people, elbow to elbow. The department store escalators were so crowded wes could hardly move. Since we don’t really like crowds, we headed for an ice-cream shop to sit and rest. Kim got us typical Chinese ice-cream popsicles. Heading east on the busy street we found a new plaza that connected to a side street where only locals shop and live. It was not crowded but had lots going on. We bought and ate roasted chestnuts, and cookies along the way. At a sweater shop that would custom make sweaters I tried on the sample and ended buying it since I have such a difficult time finding clothes that fit.
Another half hour walk and we were back at our hotel. Kim gave us a wonderful day as she bargained, and translated for us. She said she was happy to practice her English. Fortunately for us her husband was occupied at work so she was free to accompany us. We will be seeing her much the next two weeks as she has requested the job of escorting us to and from the school daily. Pretty good deal.
After another good Chinese dinner with our team mates, we are only too happy to put our feet up.
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