China by Guest Blogger, Beth White

CHINA    FEBRUARY 2014


China is a destination that I will be going to this year. As a preview I am posting a blog by a friend and Guest Blogger, Beth White. Thank you Beth for your contribution and I look forward to seeing the beautiful country of China.

Hi folks, I am writing today to take you on the most exciting trip ever. Yep, it is my trip

with granddaughter Sarah without whom I could not have journeyed half way around

the world to Shanghai, China to visit with son Jim.

Traveling via Heathrow we arrived after some 30 hours and two sleeps to what we have

fondly called ‘the city of extremes’.

From the ultra modern, futuristic architecture;

advanced technology and rail systems, the density of high rises with luxurious

accommodation to the working classes who are steeped in their culture and retain

their ageless ways.
The elder population is revered - it has always been so.

Our introduction to the population as we began our first foray into the subway system

was to quickly notice (then and again later as Jim’s daughters Molly and Breanna joined

us) that we were quite novel to most, the white skin, the lovely young ladies and one

senior with white hair. Little people peaking around a parent would giggle, young men

would nudge a companion to look and then there was the ever present telephones

taking pictures.

Subways, buses and trains carried us to unique shopping venues. The ‘cloth market

where one could have clothes made to measure in few days to ’the fake market which

boasted all sorts of knock offs to tempt shoppers. The street of fabulous name brand

stores such GUCCI and famous watches and perfumes; ladies clothing and jewelry!

Each day presented travel between a series of subway lines. RMB is the name of the

currency used. A 100 RMB bill was equal to about 16.00 Canadian. The girls proved

discriminating shoppers and quickly adapted to the difference in currency and honed

their bartering skills. I was glad when one or the other did the talking for me. We

picked up few words such as ‘sheshe‘ spoken as "she she" which means thank you. I

very much appreciated being able to say thanks when a rider on subway would stand to

give me their seat.

The customary washrooms still prevail while what we have grown up with are not as

plentiful in shopping areas. But, when in Rome .... as the saying goes. Dumplings and

noodles, assorted rice and vegetable dishes, pork and peking duck make up the great

fare but not outdone by the countless types of tea, samples were offered everywhere.

There was a ‘tea’ to help all ailments of the body, mind and soul. When I asked what

the sales lady would recommend to help me be taller she quickly replied ‘high healed

shoes!”. What a sense of humor. McDonald’s and Tim Horton’s were also evident

and one appreciated a good ole beefy hamburger and fries McDonald’s style.

A visit to the international square with its variety of eating establishments proved to be

a melting pot of nationalities. This area was developed with Ex pats in mind and

where most settle when living in Shanghai. One could hear a conversations in English

around the courtyard.

Shanghai World Financial Center was certified by the Guinness World Records as the

world’s Highest Observatory” in 2009. The Sky walk - 55m wide is located 474m

above ground and one feels like you are walking in the sky across the glass-floor

walkway. Amazing views in all directions. Almost beyond description. Verdigo

sufferers may not be comfortable. Barges traveling up the Huangpu River carrying

mounds of coal appeared like dinky toys. Coal is the main source of heat and energy

which accounts for the degree of pollution that covers the city. Face masks are evident

everywhere.

We flew to Beijing for two days visiting the Great Wall of China. How Great it is!

 

Hiring

a driver for the day, we drove 1.5 hr from Beijing to pay our visit. Built over

generations in east-west fashion over mountains, deserts, grassland to protect the

Chinese Empire from various warlike peoples of the North. Several walls were built as

early as 7th century B.C. and in time joined together through to 1368-1644 and the Ming

dynasties - at a cost of over million lives. It is 6000 km long and peasants, convicts,

army, and disgraced noblemen provided the manpower. Rice flour was used to make

the mortar.

We took the lift to top of mountain and walked until we could walk no more.

Periodically there were lookouts for guards and supplies. Twenty five feet tall and

15-30’ wide. One has to wonder “How Did they Do That!” and it is hard to describe the

wonder of it. Jim and I travelled back on lift while girls choose to take a bobsled like

sled that wound down the mountain with hairpin turns and steep drops. We could not

always see them but we could hear laughter and squeals as they sped down the icy

trail.

On then to the Summer Palace to finish the day with plans the next day to visit the

Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
The large city square takes its name from the

Tiananmen Gate that separates the Square from the Forbidden City which is circled by

a 52m wide moat.. The Forbidden City was the Chinese Imperial Palace from the Ming

Dynasty to end Qing Dynasty. Ancient Chinese treasures are on view and we were

impressed with the Ceramic Museum where chards of dishes 8000 BC were displayed

and throughout various vessels, dishes produced throughout the following generations.

Each article detailed the process used, the firings and materials. Beautiful, absolutely

beautiful.

Soon Molly and Breanna were en route home while Sarah and I flew to London.

Subway travel once again to the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels - breath taking

to see. The history of the Tower and its bloody past came alive as one listened to the

guide telling of two of Henry VIII six wives, Ann Boleyn and Catherine Howard being

beheaded on Tower Green as was the 9 day Queen Lady Jane Grey. A few steps took

us to a ferry ride along the Thames River and under London Bridge to our stop at Big

Ben and Westminster Abbey and our visit to the final resting place of Kings and

Queens; notables such as William Shakespeare. Charles Dickens, Browning, Tennyson.

The Grave of the Unknown Soldier. The place of Coronations (38), weddings and

funerals.

A walk along St. James Park brought us to Buckingham Palace with the sun gloriously

shining on the golden peaks of the Palace and Queen Victoria’s memorial. Flower

beds with all shades of flowers blooming; changing of the guard, the Mall and the

crowds made such a memorable finish to our day in London.

And so we were soon on the way on the last leg of our wonderful experience - tired,

happy with hours of memories, pictures and laughs. Memorable experiences to fill the

hours then a
and for many years - a trip of a lifetime. Enjoy, Beth