The banquet was a disappointment. Fei-Fei told us about the Chinese custom of balancing diets and how the onions were a hot food, and duck was a cold food because ducks swim in water. Then, the waitress demonstrated how to prepare the duck. This was not some big production. She took a small thin pancake and placed it on the saucer. Then she took a small piece of duck and dredged it in the sauce before setting it on the pancake. Then she took a couple of pieces of sliced celery and spring onions and placed them on the pancake and folded it up. It was very tiny, smaller than a spring roll. This was demonstrated without fanfare, standing at the side of the table, and so fast you had to be paying attention or you would miss it. All the while the other dishes were being set on the lazy Susan. There was about enough duck for everybody to make 2 tiny pancakes, but there was plenty of other food, such as chicken, fish, rice, noodles, and bok choy. It was good, but as this was an optional activity, I don't think it was worth the cost, and I would pass on if I did it again. Peking Duck prepared in Beijing tastes just like it does prepared elsewhere in the US, and the amount of duck we got and the blandness of the remainder of the food made this disappointing.
There's a pretty stark contrast between the modern and traditional buildings that is very apparent when they're connected to each other as part of a center!
You cycle riders that put your bikes away in the winter because it's just too cold should take note. It was a little chilly in the mornings and evenings while we were there. In fact, the couple from Florida thought it was down right cold at times! A chill in the air doesn't phase a Chinese bike or scooter rider. They have these really nifty quilted pads and gloves that attach to the bike. There were more scooters than motorbikes, but I saw them on both. It just hangs from the handlebars and breaks the wind from hitting your legs and body. They also have pockets fitted over the handlebar grips for you to put your hands in while driving. A scarf around your neck and your helmet or toboggan, and you're good to go! No need to store your bike for the winter! They came in many designs, including Hello Kitty, flowers, and various country flags!
After lunch, we headed to the Temple of Heaven. I would have liked to spend more time there, too, but the only thing we really missed was the echoing wall, so I wouldn't make a special trip to return. Historically, the Emperor and his special people were the only ones allowed to enter a temple, as the common people weren't expected to pray. This particular temple, as with many others, was only used for the specific deity to be honored at that time. This one was used during the winter solstice to pray to the heavens for good harvest. It is made of wood with no nails and is an architectural marvel mainly because of that.
You could not go inside the temple, and there was only one vantage point to look in. There were columns arranged in inner and outr circular patterns and various things for presentation of the appropriate sacrifices,which would range from animals to jade and grains and other items.
There was no mention of human sacrifice in this temple. One of the buildings on the grounds currently houses a mini-museum that goes through the multiple steps for the ritual, starting with bathing of the Emperor and ending with fasting of the Emperor. All of these steps took place in different buildings on the grounds.
Locals hang out in the various places in the park, but they are especially numerous playing cards along the Long Corridor. As we were walking back through, a man had his pet magpie which would happily hop from person to person. Anyone who knows me is well aware that, at some point, it had to be my turn!
In the next post, I'll tell you about visiting the Hutong, which tour included a rickshaw ride and a home-cooked meal in a private home.
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