CHINA 2010 SATURDAY 14th AUGUST

Today’s adventure was a visit to ‘Beijing University Biology Gardens’, not in Beijing of course, but in an area close to Qianpu district where we had gone kite hunting. Studying the map we found we could take the BRT and get off at a stop before ‘Pugang Temple’ which we have observed every time we have used this form of transport.
Our first stop was a brief visit to the Temple situated by a main road, with the BRT above and a variety of housing from the humblest of buildings to fine apartment blocks. The Temple has several buildings running parallel to the main road and yet stepping through the gateway it sounds so quiet. Some people were knelt at prayer whilst one old lady seemed to have fallen asleep her head resting sideways on a cushion. It was still early afternoon and again very hot. The golden art work around the roof eaves was spectacular and the small courtyards between the gardens filled with pots of topiary shrubs and incense burners. As people were at prayer and Keith was wearing shorts we didn’t venture inside the buildings but admired some of the Buddhas from a distance so as not to intrude.
We continued our journey along the footpaths in search of an entrance into the gardens which according to our map should also lead us into ‘Zhonglun Park’. As I said it was very hot and even the breeze didn’t cool us down so we tried to walk along the pathways in the gardens that had some shade. We came across a children’s area with small rides and a roughly constructed pond using a blue heavy duty plastic sheet in a shallow dug out square filled with water on which a few paddle boats could be hired. As we made our way the smell from the trees and shrubs was wonderful – if only I could capture the perfume along with the image. The only smell I recognised was from the tall eucalyptus trees. Following the paths eastwards we found we could not get as far as we thought and so once again found we had to retrace our steps. Taking a higher route before we left the gardens I saw a large building and in the doorway a fridge. Fancy a cold beer as if I need ask? Joining a group of young men drinking tea under the shade of a large veranda we enjoyed our beer whilst watching a father with his toddler daughter relaxing on a nearby bench. The gardeners began to arrive to water the area carrying large hose pipes on their bicycles. The perfume of the eucalyptus was very strong here and seemed to attract the birds. I watched a small tree creeper run up the trunk of one tree until it reached a cut off branch but as I got my camera out it flew away.
We left the park and continued to walk down the road until we came to a junction. Up the road we could see people coming and going and at the top of the slight incline a tanker filling up with water so we headed in that direction. By the time we reached the tanker it began to reverse and wondered where the water came from to fill it as all we could see was a very large puddle and water running across the road. Another of life’s little mysteries! Continuing round the bend on this road we passed row upon row of coloured bougainvillea in pots behind hire wire fences on one side whilst on the other side of the road was ‘housing’. The children playing in the street called “hello” as we walked by. Say anything else to them and they just stand and giggle. At last we came to a main road by a large stone masons yard. Peering through the bars as the gates were locked we could see a vast amount of rocks, some already carved. One was in white in the shape of a skeleton – who would want that in their garden? We also saw a few stone pictures, one laid flat which gave us an opportunity to see at close range how some of these pictures are created. The sculpture on this picture appeared to have been created by hand as it was very thick and rough whereas one design waiting to be moved on a fork lift truck of lotus flowers and a large swan could have been created by grinding away the concrete to leave the shapes. If we are lucky we may get to see one of these craftsmen at work as long as we choose a weekday to return.
A little further down the main road we arrived at ‘Huhe Stone Cultural Park’ a fairly new looking site and wondered just how big an area it covered. The young girl at the ticket desk tried to be helpful but it was almost 4pm and we were feeling weary so said we could come back another day as glancing through the entrance it did look very inviting.
Back on track we found an entrance into the gardens or was it ‘Zonglun Park’ we were not to find out today as across the road was a BRT station. The pedestrian lights were green and counting down so we didn’t linger and headed for home. The first bus to arrive was so full we were unable to get on. The next one was nearly as bad but we managed to squeeze in by the back doors where a young boy said “hello” to me and then began to talk in Chinese before offering me his seat. I thanked him but mimed for him to stay where he was as we were pulling into a station and two seats became vacant.
As we approached our apartment block we saw the florist who told us his wife had given birth to a baby girl. We congratulated him and he dashed into the shop. We thought he was going to show us a photo of the baby but came back with a handful of wrapped sweets tipping them into my bag.
I was in no mood to cook tonight so we paid another visit to the ‘Soup Expert’. Our young man was missing and the restaurant was busy so we went upstairs. Having got settled our waitress came and asked if we would like to go downstairs but we remained at our table looking out over the paved area watching motorists park their cars. There is no proper driving test in China so after sitting and passing a written test you go to a ‘yard’ prove you can manoeuvre the car and that’s about it. It seems reversing and parking doesn’t come into the test. As we returned home today a man with a small machine was marking out parking bays in our immediate area whilst another man was painting the appropriate bay number in yellow paint. Cars already parked seemed to make no difference as we watched him spray a broad white stripe down the side leaving some of the paint on the car wheels!
Back home we switched the TV on to catch most of the opening ceremony of the ‘First Olympic Youth Games’ being held in Singapore with 204 Nations taking part. I expect there will be plenty of sport to watch in the next 12 days.