A friend of mine from South Carolina, Michelle, told me about two weeks ago she was coming to Beijing...Oo la la, how exciting! Well, most people plan such a big trip several weeks in advance, not Michelle. She was coming on the following Tuesday if her Visa arrived in time. She was coming for work, she works at Mikes old plant in Florence. When the boss says go...you go:)
She got off work early on Friday, took a taxi to our house and I shared the fun experience of bike riding in China with her as we headed off to lunch. After lunch I took her on a walking tour of Olivia's school, she was impressed. It is an impressive campus. It was almost next door to the restaurant. Saturday we had Mikes driver....Mike was in South Carolina!....I miss him.....
We went to Panjiayuan, (you can see pictures of that market from previous posts.) Lama Temple and Confucius Temple.
When Olivia graduates from WAB the ceremony will be held at Confucius Temple. What better place to hold a graduation than such a special place of scholarship.
Confucius Temple
Some of the more important tablets are carried on the back of these giant tortoises.
We think the graduation will take place on the stairs to Olivia's left. It is the opposite side
of the building below.
One very gnarly old tree.
Lama Temple
Lama Temple had many more buildings than the other. Each one has statues of Buddha inside.
In this building, below, there is an 18 meter statue, it is big.
Prayer drum.
Green hexagon ceramic wall tiles.
For those aware of a current quilt project of mine this is so perfect!
Mama lion.
When we were walking to the Temple the street was crowded with stores selling incense. We did not know what it was for. Now we do. As you walk towards each building there is an altar where you light three incense sticks, kneel and offer them to Buddha. Then you go inside and offer three more to each Buddha inside...these you do not light. These are huge incense sticks, probably 18 inches long. I did not take pictures of the incense lighting or the altars as I thought is wasn't right. If you want to experience the amazing amounts of incense smoke in the air and see the ritual please come to visit and we will gladly take you there.
You apparently, also, do not light your film?
Leaving the Temple:)
We had a great day and were thoroughly worn out by the end of it. On Sunday we went to another market, Silk Market. Lots of fun in there. Michelle brought us Oreo's, Cheezits and Buttermilk powder. Olivia had Buttermilk pancakes for dinner on Sunday, she was thrilled:)
Love , fondly, sincerely,
Zaijian,
Ramona
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