The Chinese Facial and the Dong Wu Teahouse

Nothing is straightforward. The Chinese facial actually is a back massage, neck and head massage, and facial. It was quite a bit more expensive that the foot massage (about $28.00 Cdn) and it lasted 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Complete decadence. No pain. No pressure points. Just gentle, repetitive massage, working out the knots. Definitely a repeat visit to be scheduled there.

Today we were invited to visit a primary school (6-13 year olds - you need to factor in that the age includes pregnancy so birth is the 1st birthday). Five of my teachers and several teachers from the other class came to meet with us at the school, answer our questions, and translate for the principal. Apparently of about 500 students graduating and wanting to become teachers, about 50 are able to pass the examination. One reason why teachers are so respected in China. After eating copiously quantities of fruit presented to us on the table - particularly lychees, we all proceeded to the teahouse in Dong Wu Park, a very beautiful and manicured park much like Queen Elizabeth Park.

The teahouse is very different than the English style high tea. There is an amazing range of tea choices but also a huge variety of food that you can choose to share with others at the table or eat by yourself. Apparently mostly women like to frequent the teahouse and will sometimes stay and chat for up to five hours. Any of the Chinese delicacies you've heard of were on the table and undoubtedly many others. Even the chicken feet with nails look tame compared to the duck heads. The unborn chicks in the eggs are a special treat. The lotus roots are very good and so are the spicy bamboo shoots. I've also had more varieties of rice than I knew existed. There is a sweet dessert rice that is black and served with a nut on top that was wonderful.

After 2 1/2 hours in the teahouse, we walked home along the river. A very different place in the evening. Way hotter, and a different crowd. No Tai Chi groups for me to join. More young men, couples and families strolling along and lively street entertainment . We took a detour to get Marion new shoes when hers broke. Not an issue. Shoes stores are plentiful and everything is open late. Dancing ladies seems to be the continuity factor. They LOVE to dance in Fuyang. Our friend, Jane, frequently goes line dancing for her evening workout.