Sight-seeing in Suzhou - Day 5

Hello~ or as I now say (because is one of the few words I know) Ni hao! As is my routine now, I am blogging before bed (hmm, that sounds funny). It is 9 p.m. Wednesday, November 12th and I am in my hotel room in Hangzhou.

I actually started my day in Suzhou with a great breakfast, potent coffee and a good night's rest. Our guide first took us to one of the canals ... Apparently that part of China is considered to be the "Oriental Venice." I have never been to Venice (unless the Venetian in Las Vegas counts), but from what pictures I've seen the only comparison to be made is the fact that ARE canals. I would think the canals in Venice are more pleasing to the eye. Suzhou is actually surrounded by the Grand Canal which links the Yangzi to the Yellow River and is supposedly the largest man-made canal. Suzhou is actually criss-crossed (like a checkered board) with a series of small canals that somehow feed into the Grand Canal.

The canal that we toured showed us what everyday life is like for the common people of Suzhou. It is fascinating the way they live. These little homes are right on the water. Many of them have an enclosed deck area that is the kitchen (judging by the women who appeared to be cooking in them. It was morning when we were there and many women were out washing clothes in the canal. One lady had raw meat and was cleaning it in the canal; another gentleman was fishing.

We got off our boat (or whatever you call what we were riding) at a local marketplace. This is where people who live in that area purchase their food for the day. According to our tour guide, Jimmy, the people shop daily for their food. This definitely was an interesting experience. First, people are jammed packed up and down the streets and they don't have a true concept of space. Second, people are very curious about us Americans (just as we are of them) and have no problem coming close to you and staring. Many are very friendly and try to speak to you by saying phrases they know like "good morning" or "hello." Others are trying to sell to you. One child this morning (I posted a picture of him) kept staring at me and trying to get my attention. Finally he walked up to me and poked my leg, almost as if to see if I was real. It was funny.

I was so curious to see what types of items were being sold. There were live ducks and chickens to seafood to fruits and vegetables to clothing and housewares ... There were also some places to eat that were - literally - whole-in-the-wall establishments where someone was cooking in front of the building and people were inside eating. I've posted some pictures of this marketplace in on the blog.

But, of course, I like to deviate from our group and check out what else is out there. I wandered through some of the neighborhoods (for lack of a better word). People live with so little. I first was sad for them as I observed their living conditions, but then noticed how happy they seem. Perhaps they are content with what they know and what they have and the life they lead. Maybe I should take a lesson.

Another lesson I've learned today is the fact that a smile goes a long way. Today I've had many interactions with people who do not speak English and I (obviously) do not speak Chinese. But we're able to connect through just a smile. Two examples - today at lunch I was looking through some postcards I had purchased and all of a sudden several of the waitresses came over to me and started trying to teach me how to say in Chinese each of the places the postcard depicted. There were six girls all around me trying to have me repeat (awkwardly I might add) Chinese. It was funny. Oh, and I took a picture with them. Notice how tall I am and I'm not wearing heels.

Then today after we toured the embroidery factory I was standing outside when a man with his child came over ... he didn't speak English, but motioned that he wanted me to hold his child. So I did. The baby was very, very cute. But, FYI - many of the young children in China wear pants that have a slit where the bottom is with no diaper on ... luckily I had noticed this prior to holding the child ...

So anyway, back to the original train of thought - after touring the canals we went to the Silk Factory where we learned how silk is made. Long process that entails the exact knowledge of the life cycle of a silkworm. But it is interesting.

After the silk factory we had lunch and then went to the Embroidery factory. Also interesting to see how embroidery is made. The really good embroidery is a work of art.

Then after yet again touring and, of course shopping, at the government-owned factory, we boarded our bus and made our way to Hangzhou which is a little less than a 3 hour ride. By the time we check into the hotel, ate dinner, walked the block to see what's around the hotel, it was already close to nine.

So that was the extent of our excitement today. Tomorrow we will tour Hangzhou and then head to Shanghai for the last part of our trip ... I can't believe it's half over already and I feel like I've only seen a small part of China. It has, so far, exceeded my expectations. And those expectations were pretty high!

Write more tomorrow. Good night ... oh, uh, I mean ... Good morning to you!