Enslein Visit- Teda & Beijing

 May 28-June 1st, 2012
At home in TEDA, and a Hutong tour in Beijing

At home in TEDA...

Our driver preparing fresh crab and snail for us to try. 

Mom was conveniently on the phone leaving poor Vince to give the obligatory taste all by himself. Not looking like it tastes so good...

Chasing it with a Pepsi. What a sport!

Chinese foot massages. 45 minutes for $15.

Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City...Oops no pics! I was too busy wrestling with someones child and the stroller that that same child refused to sit in. 

 Hutong tour in Beijing... Hutongs are the original Chinese housing. Built in squares with courtyards in the middle, there were generally 10 family units around the outside and then the middle courtyard was shared. Throughout time the courtyards have been replaced with additional housing. Those that can afford it have moved to other locations so mostly elderly individuals and the families they may be looking after remain here.

Community bathroom that the locals share, there are no private bathrooms in their homes. 

Since there's no green space inside they build gardens out of pots.

And grow grapes over the walkways. 

Delivery van, I mean bike. 

Since there isn't any grass there isn't anywhere for the dogs to pee. People therefore cover the wheels on their car so dogs don't pee on their wheels. 

A peak inside. A man doing laundry in their outdoor courtyard.

Another peek inside. 

Coal storage. Coal is still used to heat the homes in winter. 

Local pharmacy.  Pretty decent I thought compared to its surroundings...

Pigeon cage above someones home. Apparently pigeon races are quite popular.

It's illegal to cut down a tree within these historic hutongs so if people want to build their shack there they have to build around them. 

Covered bike. Pretty genius if you ask me!

Public telephone booth

Thanks Mom and Dad!

It was a great two weeks and wonderful to have you here to share our experiences with. I've learned that I've become a bit of a schedule freak in my old age and am not so flexible as I once was! You got me loosened up though...just in time for you to go. It was hard to say goodbye but it was much easier than it could have been knowing we'll be back to Iowa in just a few short weeks! Thanks for coming 'rents!