One Day Closer

Scott's version of the day certainly hits the highlights. We had an excellent lunch of too many foods to name-duck, string beans and pork, spring rolls and dumplings, bok choy, and on and on...the lazy susan was full and spinning.
Our afternoon tour guide, Tony is awesome...he will be with us for the rest of our Beijing tour days and he's intent to show us the local culture first hand. Our first ride in a pedicab took us on a Hutong tour. The Hutongs are courtyard based family complexes. We visited one of the larger ones where a family of 5 generations lives together. It looked exactly as I imagined with grapes and pumpkin vines covering the courtyard, a speaking caged Maya bird, a kitchen area, 3 bedrooms and a small studio where the dad created beautiful paper cut artwork. From there we headed to the bar street which you guessed it-bars and restaurants overlooking a large lake.
Our next stop was the Drum and Bell Towers...and we climbed some steep steps to see the huge bell. The tea ceremony was next stop with an adorable server who taught us the proper tea drinking techniques.
Then it was off to the foot massages...I got a bonus back massage since the pressure points of my feet indicated that's what I needed...it was quite relaxing. And the day goes on...off for what Tony described as some finger food...more plates of food to share...chinese pizza (corn meal with green onions and scrambled eggs), the chinese version of potato chips, noodle dishes, kung pao chicken and more yummy Chinese beer!
And finally to finish off the night-The Chinese National Acrobatic Troupe show. These kids were just amazing...balancing acts, tight rope, jump ropes, and strength moves like you've seen in Cirque de Soleil.
Now we've back and ready for a full nights sleep and ready to climb the Great Wall.
It's great that we have this chance to see and experience this bit of China to better appreciate Van's heritage.