The spiritual climate varies from area to area in China.
Some areas are highly Muslim, others sport religious beliefs such as
Buddahism, Daoism, and other idol practices.
Mountains surround many of the cities – and going to the high places is a tradition for many seeking to pray.
In ancient Chinese culture, scholars and people of great wisdom studying,
would be found in the high places seeking a higher power.
Today many cities perch Buddhist or Daoist temples at the top or bottom of high places.
would be found in the high places seeking a higher power.
Today many cities perch Buddhist or Daoist temples at the top or bottom of high places.
Walls. They are everywhere. Alongside streets. On top of mountains. In people’s hearts.
God is sending workers in to collect the harvest in China…
to believe that He is the God of the cities around the world + that greater things are yet to come.
Many men are often found playing cards or mahjong in the streets
and outside of buildings between work and prayer.
and outside of buildings between work and prayer.
These bright wooden pieces are quite the ammunition for debates and friendly competition in China.
With my limited understanding of Mandarin, and amazing eye-sight,
I reason this game requires skillful strategy!
Insanity? P90X? Going to the track? Cycling classes?
Apparently the rest of the world has it all wrong.
China’s playgrounds sport metal, colorful work-out equipment.
You can work the abs, obliques, legs, arms and back, all on the circuit.
If intervals are more your style, perhaps you can join the grandpas
bundled in 5 layers of clothes trotting laps around the park.
Many of the elderly Chinese men wear giant, circle-shaped, tinted glasses.
There’s really not much of an explanation for these other than ‘everyone does it’.
They are especially cute when they smile with a handful of teeth and ride little bikes or trikes around town.
They are especially cute when they smile with a handful of teeth and ride little bikes or trikes around town.
Street food. I’m convinced it’s some of the yummiest food you’ll ever eat!
Lamb on a stick n’ spicy bread…nothing else quite compares.
Every evening after the sun goes down many vendors gather along the center street of town, or in various alleys to sell their delicious cuisine. Hot potatoes, vegetables, tea, meat, and fellowship always make for a great night.
If the grocery store closed too early and you weren’t able to swing by and pick up your chicken, rabbit,
or other various animal carcass…come to the street vendors…they sell all evening long.
Chinese women have an amazing ability to walk through town, up mountains,
and ride bikes…all with giant heels.
and ride bikes…all with giant heels.
I guess you could say: their boots were made for walkin’, cause that is what they do.
Mildly disturbing/sheer brilliance.
Friends, I give you the Chinese squatty-potty.
The bumpy places mark where you place your feet, and the rest is pretty self-explanatory.
It’s rather sanitary…and only takes a bucket or two to flush.
You can walk in and out of the bathroom never having to touch a single thing.
It’s always wise to carry extra tp in your pocket though…most models around town don’t come with it.
Roasted chicken anyone? At night the streets come alive – it’s a food tasting party.
Fruit dunked in sugar on a stick anyone?? People in Asia love their sugar.
For only 30 cents (2 yuan) you can buy yourself a stick of fruit n’ sugar + a ticket to potential diabetic coma.
(This month on the race we saw snow for the first time in over a year…it was chilly but sooo much fun!)
