Day 3: Hutongs, Rickshaws, and Ping Pong

Day 3 begins for Mama Tink and Lisa with a trip into the (gasp!) Forbidden City. Since we've already covered that in yesterday's blog, I'll simply say that I hope they're allowed to take pictures. I really, really want to see something (gasp!) forbidden. On a more global scale, I hope they don't get arrested there or anywhere and thrown into a Chinese prison. Shudder.



The tour agenda dictators are actually going to allow the group to eat lunch at a local restaurant, which I think is quite daring so early in the trip. I mean, just think of the potential gastrointestinal ramifications. These people have to ride on a bus together. Ew. Ew, ew, ew. Before that little bomb hits, though, the group will have the chance to take a tour of Beijing's Hidden Lanes. (Is anyone else starting to see an uncomfortable trend starting here? Forbidden City? Hidden Lanes? Just thinking out loud.) The (ahem) Hidden Lanes sound quite interesting despite their covert nature. Here's how the travel literature describes the area:

Hutongs are ancient city alleys or lanes. In the past, several thousand lanes, alleys, and quadrangles formed residential areas for ordinary people living in the capital. Surrounding the Forbidden City, many hutongs were built during the Yuan (1206-1341), Ming (1368-1628), and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. In the prime of these dynasties, the emperors, in order to establish their absolute power, planned the city and arranged the residential areas.

About half the population of Beijing lives in hutongs, which comprise one-third of the sprawling city's total area. Hutong, meaning alley, derives from the narrow lanes created by the walled residential compounds built one on top of the other in these cramped districts. The high walls surround the traditional siheyuan quadrangle, made up of four, single-story buildings fronting a courtyard. Hutongs take their names from the groups who live within, for instance, the Bowstring Makers' Lane, or if populated by a single family, their surname. Unfortunately, encroaching urban development now threatens hutongs.

I don't know about you, but now I really, really want to see a hutong. And say it. Hutong. Huuuu-tooooong. Feels nice on the tongue, doesn't it? Say it with the accent; you'll love how it sounds.

After their jaunt through the alleys the girls will get that rickshaw ride they've been thinking about since 11:00. Although, I have to admit I would feel a little funny riding in a cart pulled by a person. Wouldn't you? It seems so inconsiderate; there that nice man is, doing all the work while you jump up and down and put rocks in your pockets. Just doesn't seem right. Then again, I wouldn't particularly like riding in a cart pulled by an animal, either, for the same reasons. It's probably just me. Just look at the guy below; he looks happy enough. (FYI, all bets are off on my human/animal rights stance once my feet start hurting. I'd jump in that rickshaw so fast your head would spin.)



Once their ride through the streets is over, they'll take a tea break with some of the families living in the area. Wonder what they'll talk about. Whether the hutongs have a homeowners association? Whether anybody noticed how cute the rickshaw driver was? If that grumbly-in-the-tumbly feeling is a foreshadowing of something more ominous?

Next, they're off to the Liulin Jie Primary School. This is where the viciously competitive games of table tennis will be played. Personally, this would be my favorite part of the day, but only because I like to pester little children. On the other hand, the Chinese take their table tennis very seriously. It might be scary.



Their evening will be free to do as they wish, although there is an optional tour to go to the Chinese opera. I know what I'd choose. I hope the girls have adjusted to the time and cultural change and are having the time of their lives!