All smiles - we're going shopping
Good planning by the organisers - after our late arrival! We were rewarded with a late start and a clear schedule for the morning.
Couldn't miss breakfast though. Happily pulled up a table at 9 o'clock and toasted
all the "Mothers" and of course relaxed into all the offerings of the buffet. New tastes for the coffee and teas on offer, dishes we didn't quite recognise, but plenty of willing taste testers to help identify new favourites.
Feeling we didn't do too badly on the flight over allocation for our group. As we were heading out from breakfast, the next 30 were in the lift, travel weary and carting their luggage. Our little 5 hour snooze in a bed last night was looking pretty impressive.
What did we do today?
Local markets
The morning was ours - no formal call to duty until 2 30 in the afternoon.
The hotel was conveniently located next to the markets and that drew us like a magnet. A little complicated because we were all flush with 100 yuan notes and the vendors were a little challenged to find change for food items that were just 5 and 10 yuan. Ever the sales assistant, @Cheryl trolled the vendor line asking if they took Aussie dollars. Not a chance in this little neck of the woods.
And "neck" reminds me - this market had everything. It sprawled across numerous blocks and was arranged "loosely" according to product. Found ourselves in acres of fruit and veggies, tubs of live seafood and squirming frogs (yes, bag after bag after bag.) Tables proudly displaying every part of various animals were decorated overhead by more parts swinging from hooks (even the uterus proudly displayed) and bizarrely, not a single fly (nor an ounce of ice or refrigeration) amongst all that "freshness." Took it all in but were relieved to pop out in the alleys that played host to clothing, hats, shoes and handbags and it wasn't long before everyone in the group was swinging a plastic bag with a bargain.
Bottom right corner. What is that?
A little background information from @Leila had given us some insight into the recent tourism numbers of Westerners in Chengdu. It has been very slow since co-vid and Westerners have been rare visitors. @Leila warned the group that locals staring at us was out of curiosity. And to be prepared for them to ask us for photos. It sort of explained our momentary pop star glory in the markets.
The performers had the stage, but @Denise and I had the attention - can't understand why they wouldn't give us the microphone, but that didn't stop us! Belted out sounds, did the pop star stances and basked in the glory. The locals couldn't believe their eyes or ears. Would love to know how much laughter we brought to family homes that night in the retell.
Extremely disappointed we don't have any photos though. Our fellow #Fab5+1 were so doubled in laughter that they didn't even think to get their phones out to capture the auspicious occasion. But no joke, the locals were LINED up to capture our foreign faces on their cameras. A bit worried what will happen to all that footage ... maybe keep your eyes peeled at cheap prices on the Dark Web.
That filled the time until lunch and still bulging from breakfast, everyone went light. Admitting that some boiled eggs 🥚 had been purloined from breakfast which boosted the noodles and shakes that are the backups. I didn't have that much luck with my egg - peeled it, bit it, swallowed it and within 5 minutes I had vomited it back up! There's always one bad egg in the bunch. No doubt, I am cured now from "purloined eggs" - and as a witness to all if this, so is @Von.
The People's Garden, Tea House and Monument
Great start because the 38 members of the now expanded group all reported on time for the first marshalling. @Leila is so organised - everyone has a number - sort of like a fun calling of the roll at school. Of course .... you guessed it - we are numbers one to six ... and ... @Denise, as the birthday girl is the undisputed #Number 1.
@Leila gave the historical and cultural context of the places we were to visit and despite the intrigue and pull of those sites our first dash was to join the line for the toilets. Thank you SheWeena. Only one Western toilet and all the rest were that inviting porcelain bowl in the floor. No worries, added the extension, and after being in training for two weeks prior to departure, took aim and smiled with relief and success. @Denise and I were the only two who didn't have to check for "splash wounds."
Wandered around the gardens through tree lined pathways adorned with brightly coloured lanterns and over full tea houses and marvelled at the volume of people and the noise! Boat rides were on offer and you could even consult the blue and pink A4 printed sheets to find yourself a husband or wife in what we dubbed "Tinder in the Park."
The big message on the bus was that this place would be crowded. And, yep it was - it was Sunday and it felt like every seat was taken. @Leila had provided each of us with a card with her details on it - and if we got lost, we just had to ask a local to call her and she would rescue us.
Not sure how we managed it, but at an intersection @Carolyn said "Let's take a photo" and @Julie asked "Have you seen this game in the tea house" and just like that - poof - we were separated! We'd lost @Carolyn. It was like she had been swallowed by the crowd. We stationed @Cheryl in the intersection and then we each took an arm of the four ways and set out to find her! Frustratingly, there were just too many people of about 5'4" wearing a white cap. After our best "failed" efforts @Julie suggested we should push on to the bus group meet up time and reassured us that @Carolyn could find her way back to that spot.
Absolutely brutal. Forget "no man left behind." But we did - apparently State High girls who were Ball Gane Champions have super powers for tunnelling and leading and slipping through gaps!
Thankfully, as we made our sad trudge towards "Tinder in the Park" out popped @Carolyn from a side arm fresg from taking in a cultural show - with not a worry in the world! She was as stumped as we were on the disappearing act but it did make us all take the whole lost thing a little more seriously.
Kuanzhai Alley
This was the scheduled "buy cheap $h!t from China" stop. Two broad avenues 500 metres in length each with stallc holders selling everything "panda." So much black and white, by the end of it your eyes were reeling with that hazy wavy I'm getting a migraine pattern. But, according to @Leila, this was where to get your fix - it would be ten times the price outside the conservation centre tomorrow. Think everyone was listening, because when we boarded, everyone was sporting at least one plastic bag holding a new treasure.
The Narrow Alley was more upmarket and alo featured lots of restaurants. Quite intriguing to watch all the fan slapping and price adjustments that the staff used to attract the attention of their customers.
Time to get your hot pot on
Straight from the markets to the 6.30 dinner venue and what a setup. Four wooden benches around a square table with a centre piece of the bubbling hot pot. The hot pot was surrounded by so many offerings of meats, fish, dumplings and things I don't know the name of! Add to that a side trolley that had the vegetables, noodles and all sorts of extras.
The centre of the hot pot had the NUMBING hot and spicey (dip at your own risk) soup and the outer toned down to Westerners' taste.
The rhythm of the meal was: put on your apron, go to the condiments counter and select from a variety offerings and add some sesame oil to concoct your own sauce. Throw the thinly sliced meat options into the soup base , scoop out and enjoy.
That middle concoction was crazy hot
It was all washed down with plenty of beer, conversation attempts to solve the problems of the world, loads of laughter and repeated attempts at putting it all together. It was a great experience.
Made our way back home and were very pleased to pull up around 9.30 pm. Not as pleased as those poor people who had only arrived in the morning.
We did have jobs to do - we are on the move tomorrow to a new location. Going to leave the big bags behind and just take a backpack. A slight challenge to find spaces for the new acquisitions - but with creative rearrangement everything was sorted and we were settled. Do think I fell asleep and @Von may have still been talking.
PS The order of the sight seeing has been changed. @Leila making changes to accommodate the low river height. A few items shuffled to tomorrow.
Straight from the itinerary
Introductory tour: Your first stop is Kuanzhai Alley, one of Chengdu’s three historic conservation districts that was constructed in 1718 during the early years of
the Qing Dynasty. This charming pedestrian thoroughfare is home to an eclectic mix of classic Sichuan architecture, modern cafes and smart boutiques. As you
explore, listen to commentary from your guide about the district’s history and design, while you marvel at some of the city’s old establishments like traditional
teahouses and Chinese calligraphy demonstrations that sit alongside the new. You’ll then visit Heming Teahouse, nestled in the People’s Park this has always
been a popular destination for both locals and visitors who are looking for a relaxing cup of tea or a unique cultural experience. The ambience of HemingTeahouse is peaceful and serene, providing a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. The teahouse is decorated in traditional Chinese style with wooden
tables and bamboo chairs adding to the atmosphere. Finish the day back at your hotel and enjoy an optional Hot Pot dinner in the evening (not included)
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