My ankle was sore today I didn’t make the walk to Temple Park for practice.
The plan was for the troop to walk to the park and practice, lǎo shī suggested that I might consider remaining behind since the group needed to walk to the park, practice, and be back for lunch before our three-hour drive to Chengde. This was my first opportunity to work with this journal so I jumped at the opportunity and setup in the hotel lounge.
I mentioned that all outside social network sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Drop-box, etc.). I had been told that the blockage included Word Press sites but I seemed not to have a problem accessing my Journal site. With no apparent access problems I began to upload photos through the hotel’s slow and inconsistent Wi-Fi service. In my room I had direct access to the internet through an Ethernet cable, my preference.
Just as I finished my first upload, the group returned and there was a mad rush to have lunch at the hotel and load the bus; we’re off to Chengde. I knew nothing about Chengde so I just rode until someone pointed out the Great Wall running along the ridge of the mountain as we drove along. Given the terrain, I wondered about how people negotiated the mountain, notwithstanding the wall. The beautiful country reminded me of the rolling foot hills around Ellensburg, WA or a combination of the high desert around Prescott, AZ. or Bend, Ore; the earth appeared dry but the numerous creek beds and wide gully’s, some winding and extending out of sight, revealed not only terraced gardens and farms but also small rural communities. I would have loved to stop and explore these areas but that was not our destination. We continued through a tunnel with the Great Wall overhead, I wondered how ancient warriors would have appreciated the highway and tunnel.
Except for a well-received rest stop, we arrived in Chengde without incident, “Chengde originally called Rehe was once the summer resort of the Qing Dynasty”.
Our hotel, Mountain Vista Hotel, I understand was a Russian built hotel, but it is located directly across the street from the summer, “palace”, resort. Like all of our hotels it has a large reception foyer but it is dimly lit with dark wood stair banisters, doors, and trimming. Our room is located on the 4th floor and in the second wing; fortunately, there was an elevator. Our room is large and resembles what might have been a small apartment, dry bar at the entrance but with no glassware or eating utensils.
We walked several blocks along the bi-level sidewalk and winding through the traffic to a four or five-story building which housed several restaurants on the main floor which was ten or so concrete steps up from the street. I had a tendency to count steps as I negotiated climbing and maintaining my balance with the crutch. Our restaurant was a Muslim restaurant, which I note only because our guide pointed out this fact and we noted that they served beer (Remember: beer is cheaper than water.). With Vincent, as our host we had more than enough to eat; but members of the troop began expressing their dietary preferences. I don’t like bland food nor do I equate the hot peppers as “spicy”; I like a variety of good flavors so I either eat or tasted everything that was put before me. Yet, I did not bat cleanup.
When we returned we noted a number of shops, fruit and vegetable stands, curious, artifacts, etc., lined the block in front of our hotel. Perusing the shops a couple of “Scholar stones” caught my eye. I love the concept of “stillness in motion/motion in stillness” which the rocks embody. Further after our visit to the Forbidden City’s stone garden I was pumped for a new addition to my collection of two and what better place to buy a stone but in China. My dilemma, on red colored simple stone, reminiscent of a stone I already own for 500 Yuan (about $82) or a larger porous looking swept wing stone for 3200 Yuan (about $524.59). I left pondering.
Now many people who are early risers like going to bed early; I am not. Call it a family condition. Now I’m pondering which stone to buy, I ask the attractive, limited English speaking assistant manager, about the bar (it’s 9:30 and the sign says the bar closes at 10 PM). She tells me the bar is downstairs but she’s not sure if it is open. I want a drink to ponder and besides I expect to find my roommate and Jacob swapping stories. I managed to find “No party” tonight, 9:30 PM and the bar was closed.
