Hutongs part three, Yan Dai Xi Jie, Tobacco Pipe Lane After farewelling the teachers and student I walked on a little further, reached the required road and crossed it. I was now close to Qianhai Lake, the southern-most of three connected lakes which used to be part of the Grand Canal and now part of a lively […]
Hutongs Part 2 Nan Luo Gu Xiang Hutong My Chinese rogue deposited in the middle of Nan Luo Gu Xiang Hutong (alley). I didn’t know which way was north or south or how far an end was until I walked far enough to work it out. In any event it didn’t matter. Nan Luo Gu […]
Beijing Hutongs Part One On Sunday I visited some of the better maintained hutongs (alleys) in the northern area of Beijing between the Forbidden City and the lakes. I took the subway to the closest station and intended to walk. However, one of the rickshaw drivers gave me an offer I didn’t feel like refusing […]
Another medical experience Soon after my trip to Beijing in mid November I came down with a respiratory infection. It was enough to slow me down and cause a problem but not to be a worry as I didn’t have a fever. I tried all of my remedies from home with minimal benefit. After almost […]
Winter woollies for trees A couple of weeks ago I noticed that some of the college and city trees had received a fresh coat of whitewash. Last year I saw some of them being painted. Given its really cold with temperatures below freezing at night I wondered why. It is common in tropical areas and […]