First Stop: Beijing

I don't know if my mother & sister are actually in Beijing yet or not. They could be tucked into their comfy little no-frills airline seats enjoying that timeless motion picture, Bruce Almighty. Personally, I hope they're sleeping. While they're doing whatever it is that they're doing, let's begin our edumacation, shall we? (Note: I want you to understand that this will be very, very random. It's been a rough day.)

We'll start with some long-ago history that I found interesting simply because it reveals that suburbs were alive and well in Beijing half a million years ago. Who knew?

Some half a million years ago, Peking man lived in Zhoukoudian, in the southwestern suburbs of Beijing. The climate of that time was warmer and more humid than it is today. Forests and lakes in the area supported large numbers of living creatures. The fossil remains of Peking man, his stone tools and evidence of use of fire, as well as later tools of 18,000 years ago, bone needles and article of adornment from the age of Upper Cave Man are the earliest cultural relics on record in China today. (http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/About_Beijing/GeIntroduction/t212553.htm)

Beijing is very rich in history and it's certainly worth spending some time on, but let's ignore that now in deference to my adult-onset ADD. So, moving on to something completely unrelated: take a peek at these cuties!

Pretty adorable with those bared teeth, don't you think? Well, here's what our official Beijing website (http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/About_Beijing/default.htm) had to say about them:

In China, the lion is regarded as the king of the forests and of the other animals. It has thus long been used as a symbol of power and grandeur. It is even believed to offer protection from evil spinits. That is why imposing statues of lions were placed at the gates of imperial palaces, official residences, temples and tombs. In cense burners and imperial seals were also often decorated with carved lions.

I want me one of them lion incense burners. Knowing how I love animals, you won't be surprised that I was also fascinated about the lore behind those Chinese animal symbols you see in Chinese restaurants. However, in the interest of keeping reader attention, I will simply refer you to the website rather than include the whole essay here: http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/About_Beijing/ArchaicCivilization/t200239.htm

Now, one last thing thing before I release you from this punishment of a blog. Let's trip over to the Peking Opera, where make-up preparation would put Tammy Faye to shame. What's that all about, anyway??

The origin of facial make-up used in Peking Opera can be traced back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period, more than 1,400 years ago, when leading actors used to wear masks. As the operatic arts developed, performers gradually took off their masks and painted colourful patterns on their faces instead so people could better see their facial expressions. Facial make-up enables audiences to grasp the personality of a character portrayed and the character's social status at a glance.

Not a bad idea, I say. Generally speaking, I wouldn't mind being able to grasp the personality of a character at a glance, would you?

This blog hasn't turned out to be anything like I intended, and for that I would like to issue a blanket apology. If you've made it this far, I would like to thank you and assure you that I haven't been drinking tonight. Nope, this is just what it likes when the Pong game in my head gets ramped up to a 10. Can you hear the boinging? I can.

p.s. I just read what I "wrote" and I would simply like to say: oh...ma....gawd. I am so sorry.