Ancient Longmen Village

Longmen Village is an ancient town in the suburbs of Hangzhou by the Fuchin River. Sixty generations of Emperor Sun Quan of Dongwu have lived there through the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Three years ago the government invested a significant chunk of change into restoration to create a tourist site and generate capital for the town. The result has been some very interesting recreated historical sites spanning a thousand years, alongside 7,000 people living in quite primitive circumstances. The guide gave us the history of the artifacts and buildings. One of Marion's students gave us the more personal commentary. She grew up in the village and attended the school that was part of our tour. She is now living in the village with her husband and son, and teaching at the village school. The people are very poor but surprisingly are crowded into tiny rooms with television sets.

Marion's student, Wing, was also an integral part of "Project Shoe". When my first set of shoes broke on the cobblestones, we set out to quickly move through the labyrinth of the town with her four year old, to purchase a new pair from merchant row. We finally arrived back and I was pondering how they were not quite the style to which I have become accustomed, when that shoe snapped too. Probably the hottest time we've had so far.

We ended up on the hillside for dinner at an amazing and very traditional restaurant. Lots of vegetables, rice wine and spectators - obviously not a lot of foreigners frequenting their establishment! Our driver, Song bing has now figured out that the "Vancouver campe" is not a campe but a cheers and the Canadian women can be very assertive! I have figured out that his first question is actually a statement rather than a question. Now I know!

Song Bing wore shorts for the first time yesterday and we discovered that my skin is more Chinese looking than his. The Chinese are very smart about protecting their skin from the sun. The girls pop up their very beautiful and ornate umbrellas as soon as they go outside and Jane even makes sure that she stops for traffic lights in the shade of trees. They are mystified that I would put sunscreen with chemicals in it on my skin rather than just avoid the sun. They were even more mystified than my next destination is Ventura Beach where I will be lying in the sun for hours at a time if I have my way.