DIGGING INTO CHINA'S PAST
Luoyang, Beijing, China June 2016
With our hectic schedule at Sias University, working 24/7 with the World Academy for the Future of Women (WAFW), getting away for the weekend seemed to be a highly remote possibility.
However, since Founder Jerrie Ueberle and her executive assistant Monday (now Mandy) proposed the trip to Luoyang, we figured that Jerrie had found away to get our undivided attention. And, of course, we get a chance to get away from the somewhat insular campus which afforded a glimpse into China's rich culture, both past and present.
Our destination was Luoyang, one of the four great ancient capitals of China, just south of the Yellow River.
Eileen had been once before and found
Longmen Grottoes to be extraordinary; she was excited that Mike was now going to have the opportunity to see them. In the end, we don't know which we enjoyed more--getting to see the famous Longmen Grottoes or just hanging out in a local park.
Parks in China are a gathering place for the elderly, which apparently is anyone over 50. They are a hub of activity, and just as much fun to watch as to participate in.
Everyone was engaged in activities to keep the body moving and the neurons firing: couples dancing, individuals doing tai chi, blind people giving massages, karaoke singing, and other assorted activities.
There were performances going on, several people doing calligraphy on the walkways with large brushes and buckets of water, and friendly Chinese elders more than happy to make friends with the foreigners.
Longmen Grottoes did not disappoint. The Grottoes consist of more than 2,300 caves and niches carved into the limestone that contain almost 110,000 Buddhist statues, more than 60 stupas, and 2,800 inscriptions.
Despite a high level of pain from back issues, Jerrie indefatigably led the charge up the multiple flights of stairs to Buddha after Buddha. We were not sure which was more impressive.
And then there was Beijing...
When Monday (Mandy) suggested a weekend getaway to Beijing, toward the end of our stay at Sias, we jumped at the opportunity. We hadn't considered it to be a possibility since it was almost 400 miles away.
But, apparently, with high-speed trains all things are possible and we arrived at the Beijing station in just a few short hours, met by a crying Olivia who Eileen had not seen in several years.
We were a little concerned about the air quality since Beijing has gotten a terrible reputation for its level of pollution. Fortunately, the winds were blowing in our favor during the time we were there.
The weekend was a perfect combination of seeing old friends (Olivia) and getting to know new ones a little better (Florence and Rachel). We ate--and ate and ate--and were able to explore the area with our most knowledgeable guide, Olivia, an illustrious WAFW alumna, who now worked for a local chain of schools there.
Monday brought us to a a bike show, organized by her former employer, and we got to try out all the latest gadgets which Mike, in particular, loved.
We also had a chance to climb the Great Wall of China--not a small thing. This completed the triumvirate of "great visits." In the past few months we had been to Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, and now the Great Wall, considered one of the most impressive feats in architectural history.
While the entire wall, built over the course of several dynasties, stretches across an impressive 13,170 miles, we climbed just a tiny portion. And yet we still felt a huge sense of accomplishment.
The day was hot, our water supply was fairly limited, and parts of the climb were steep enough that handrails were required. Yet Eileen, not known for her hiking prowess, nevertheless determined, pressed on. Cross that one off the bucket list.
 |
| Calligraphy with water |
 |
| Harder than it looks |
 |
| Mike's new friend |
 |
| One of many performances |
Longmen Grottoes to be extraordinary; she was excited that Mike was now going to have the opportunity to see them. In the end, we don't know which we enjoyed more--getting to see the famous Longmen Grottoes or just hanging out in a local park.
Parks in China are a gathering place for the elderly, which apparently is anyone over 50. They are a hub of activity, and just as much fun to watch as to participate in.
 |
| Dancing the day away |
 |
| Bountiful buddhas |
Longmen Grottoes did not disappoint. The Grottoes consist of more than 2,300 caves and niches carved into the limestone that contain almost 110,000 Buddhist statues, more than 60 stupas, and 2,800 inscriptions.
 |
| Caves and caves |
And then there was Beijing...
 |
| With WAFW friends |
But, apparently, with high-speed trains all things are possible and we arrived at the Beijing station in just a few short hours, met by a crying Olivia who Eileen had not seen in several years.
We were a little concerned about the air quality since Beijing has gotten a terrible reputation for its level of pollution. Fortunately, the winds were blowing in our favor during the time we were there.
 |
| Tiananmen: Nothing happened, right? |
 |
| Yum. Simply yum. |
 |
| Biking in tandem |
We also had a chance to climb the Great Wall of China--not a small thing. This completed the triumvirate of "great visits." In the past few months we had been to Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, and now the Great Wall, considered one of the most impressive feats in architectural history.
 |
| So many stairs |
The day was hot, our water supply was fairly limited, and parts of the climb were steep enough that handrails were required. Yet Eileen, not known for her hiking prowess, nevertheless determined, pressed on. Cross that one off the bucket list.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Let us know your thoughts and share how you've experienced global travel!