Yummy Cha

Nǐ hǎo! I am currently taking Chinese lessons, which is proving both very challenging and very rewarding. After visiting Beijing last year I realised the value of knowing at least some basic conversation - especially when bartering in the markets! My two main practical goals are to be able to bargain and order yum cha. Here's a fun fact, did you know that "māma qí mǎ, mǎ màn, māma mà mǎ" means "mother is riding a horse, the horse is slow, mother scolds the horse"? So tricky! The aspect I am finding most confusing are the Chinese characters - each picture has a different meaning however no clues as to how to pronounce the word it indicates. One thing that I've found useful is the book Chinese Written Characters: Their Wit and Wisdom by Rose Quong, which personifies the characters into stories in quite an endearing manner. Below are some pages from the book:

Until next time, xiè xie, zàijiàn (thank you and good bye)!

Beijing Diary Pt 2: 天津

East meets West

On our second day in China we visited the city of Tianjin!

Mini apples! They taste exactly like normal apples except they are as small as cherries! (Also pictured, breakfast: bottled water, bao, watermelon)

Cycling is a main mode of transport - there is always a bike in sight!

The three-wheeled taxis(?) were so eye catching - hope I get a chance to ride in one in the future!

Chopsticks anyone?

Shopping time

At the store that sold the delicious dried cuttlefish

Dried fish(?)

Hey there!

Kylie can walk now!

Street market

Yay, Kylie!

Yabbies: before

Yabbies: after

At the Silk Factory - silk worms at different stages

The silkworm cocoons are soaked and the stretched out in layers 

The silkworms are removed from their cocoons 

The layers are then stretched out - lots of layers makes a quilt

Bargaining time - "best best price" is exchanged via calculator 

Kylie enjoying all the silk products!

Michael and Jenny on the bus

Beijing Diary Pt 1: First Looks

At Sydney International Airport

I just came home after a week in Beijing, China! The trip was filled with many new experiences - from squat toilets which required BYO toilet paper, to trying new foods (including dried cuttlefish and duck's tongue, both of which were delicious). We climbed the Great Wall and dressed up as royalty at the Summer Palace; learnt how to properly hold a tea cup and drink it in three sips; and bargained with some very assertive store holders. It was a short but very busy trip! This is the diary of day one. 

Our first glances of Beijing, on the tarmac (we arrived at 6 o'clock in the morning!)

The fanciest toll gate I've ever seen!

In the car, driving from the airport

On the road

At the Beijing Bona Jade Museum

Beijing Bona Jade Museum

Sweet potato! 

At the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall - it's quite a steep incline!

Locks of Love on the Great Wall

Served with every meal: coke and watermelon

At the Dingling Underground Palace 

The Olympic Bird's Nest Stadium

Hot pot for dinner - delicious!