China at work and at play
Chefs on a break
We’re in Irkutsk Siberia and in a few hours we board a train that will whisk us to Moscow more than 5200 kilometres to the west. Whisk is probably the wrong word—the train ride will take four days.
It started snowing earlier today, but the flakes have only recently started sticking to the ground. I wonder how blanketed it will be when we head to the train at 2:30am.
Obviously I won’t be posting during the journey. Given that I’m almost always behind on reporting my travels, I thought I’d share some pics from our recent days in China—the fourth time we have visited this vast country.
There are so many people in China that the country never sleeps. Everywhere you look, people are working, playing or eating, and I caught one gal sleeping.
So I thought you might enjoy some photos from our whirlwind week in China. The pics are from Shanghai, Xian and Beijing.
Shanghai’s main shopping street
A few comments about a couple of pics. The dancer, the saxophonist, the child posing and the ribbon twirler are all from Jingshan Park in Beijing. The road works are in Shanghai and we had one of our nicest meals in a hole-in-the-wall on that street. I’ll post about food soon.
The scorpions were for sale as food—a delicacy. Some were live and others cooked. We didn’t try any of them. The fellow cooking at night had an enormous queue of people waiting outside for the savoury buns he was making. The table tennis player was fierce, as you might tell from his stance.
I could have listened to the guitar player all night. He played well and had a beautiful singing voice—never mind that we didn’t understand a single word.
See you when we surface in Moscow sometime on Monday.
Twirling ribbons
Catching a snooze
Where to next? 
My son loved the scorpioins when he was there! In for a penny …. such a diverse and colourful place to visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, now you tell me. Maybe I should have tried a scorpion! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He said they were okay, just the thought was off putting
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was offered a large black scorpion as part of a starter, during a restaurant meal in Beijing. I couldn’t face the prospect of putting the thing in my mouth, even though I am sure it upset the host. I had enough problems later, chewing on duck’s feet!
Great photos, Peggy. They conjure up a real feel of the vibrancy of China.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suppose if I’d been offered a scorpion at a dinner, I might have tried it. That’s how I happened to eat sea slug.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful photos for a great country with its colourful diversity and variety ❤
Ciao
Sid
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sid. You’re right—diversity and variety are everywhere in China.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great ‘everyday’ shots, Peggy. So familiar, too. Was the guy taking the snooze located in S’hai’s flea market? That is, if it still exists… we were there in ‘96.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Brian. The sleeper is a woman and the shot was taken in Beijing as we were walking along the street.
LikeLike
I’ve been stung a couple of times by scorpions but never thought of them as food Peggy! That’s a beautiful camel. Have a great train ride. –Curt
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Curt, we’ve finally reached Moscow. Now to explore in the rain. By the way, if you eat a scorpion, I guess you are getting your own back.
LikeLike
I am excited to hear about your trip, Peggy. Last time I think I read about the train ride was Paul Theroux.
I think I’ll pass on scorpion revenge. 🙂 I once caught one in Liberia that was fist size with a stinger the size of my thumb. Ugly! I turned it loose— a long ways off from my house. –Curt
LikeLiked by 1 person
I won’t be going into the detail that Theroux did, but there will be some nice tales.
LikeLike
Brings back great memories of China in October – crisp, clear fall days with lots of people out and about all over the country. Hope your weather, too, has been smog-free and temperate. I loved seeing all your candid street shots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The weather in China was exceptionally good, as was the air quality. Have now reached Moscow where it’s raining.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such colorful and interesting photos! Thanks for sharing. Scorpion? wooo
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, except for the scorpion. I’m not sending any of those your way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the pics of everyday life in these cities.
Armchair travel for me at its best (and I have the wonderful running commentary from you as well 🙂 )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delighted to have your company Vicki.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful culture displayed here, so much going on, a rich panorama of Chinese life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such fun to people watch almost anywhere in the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Four days on a train? Oh, my God!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We survived and have reached Moscow. Had a very welcome shower and now to explore.
LikeLike
An excellent set. When we lived in Soho’s Chinatown in the ’70s, we could see into a busy kitchen which contained bunk beds
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chinatowns are fascinating places anywhere in the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I was young I found it difficult to comprehend things I had never seen. I have been overseas and I have read your posts. But even so I am continually overcome by how much everyone is just like me. As Zorba said, “wife, children everything.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing how much people are alike all over the world. We may look different and eat different foods, but most of us want the same things out of life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very Very true
LikeLiked by 1 person
These shots are a great window into China. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most welcome.
LikeLike
My planned trip to China fell through for the second year running. Your pictures are more than consolation. I imagine you will have quite a culture shock when you emerge in Moscow. Give it my love. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pics are only a teeny-tiny consolation. Hope you get to China soon. As for Moscow, it’s hard to give me culture shock, but I wish it wasn’t raining today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
China looks wonderful. I enjoyed being able to visit it virtually via this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you could stop by.
LikeLike
Bon voyage!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. In Moscow now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it mesmerising to see the twirling ribbons. Hope you’re having a great time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the twirling ribbons—took about 15 shots of it, but only two were ‘memorable’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a colorful and vibrant culture. Wonderful photos Peggy. Happy travels to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Miriam, we’re having a great time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
China has a very rich history and is constantly making its mark as a giant, but language barrier will never make it greater than the USA
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suppose it depends on the extent to which China adopts English as a language. That said, Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world. Spanish is second and then English.
LikeLike
..most widely spoken, many thanks to a population of over a billion. But English remains the predominant business language till date.
LikeLiked by 1 person
English reigns supreme in business.
LikeLike
Once again my congratulations on this collection. You’ve made life in a different land unique, familiar, vibrant, and touching all at once. I tip my hat to you, Friend! xxxxxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jean. Always enjoy your company on these jaunts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great collection of photos! I really enjoyed the night shot of Shanghai.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Im glad we had the chance to go for a wander at night. The streets were busy and oh-so colourful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
It looks so cool from your pics that it makes me feel to pack everything and go 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
China is fantastic. Hope you get there one day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This captures the colour, beauty and dedication that makes China and its culture so fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. It was our fourth time in China and I hope not our last. 🙂
LikeLike