The teenage daughter of our hostess.
The sign with face is the sign showing an approved home to host visitors. (see below)
The dancing as described below.
Let me tell you about one of the most interesting experiences we have had so far. I have to say, that when this was first proposed on our itinerary - staying at a farmer's house - we nixed it and said find us a hotel - not interested. However, after discussion with the travel agency, we decided this would be an interesting experience. There is a village of only a few thousand people where we were going. This village was very old, small and frankly very delapidated. The Chinese government decided to build a new village and relocate everyone to new homes. They had been relocated about 10 or 12 years ago. The homes were all duplexes. Each family had a downstairs with a "living room", kitchen and a couple of bedrooms and a bathroom. Upstairs was two bedrooms and a bath and an open area. Each duplex had it's own garden. The village started a program several years ago where families could apply to become an official host for visitors. the families would be compensated and they had to meet certain criteria with western style bathrooms, air conditioning in the bedrooms, cook meals for the visitors and have provide insight into the village or farm life of their community. We arrived late afternoon to the village. The top picture is the group of ladies ready to greet our families and take each family to their home. When we got settled in they had us help them make dumplings - which was really just to put the filling in the dumpling and seal it up - but the kids thought it was very neat. They then made dinner for us - but didn't eat with us although we encouraged them to. They did not speak much English. We were told they may not eat dinner with us because they may be concerned that they couldn't communicate and it would be awkward. After dinner, we all walked to the community playground and basketball courts. Each night the village meets, exercises and they put music on and people dance. They put on alot of western music when they have visitors because they think that is what we want to hear - the younger kids love it because they like to dance to music such as "YMCA"...and old music such as the hokie pokie. it
was very funny. finally they put on Chinese folk music and we got to see some traditional Chinese folk dancing and some of the girls learned how to do some of the dances. They also played the electric slide - go figure!
Herb exercising with a village lady.
The dancing as described below.
Let me tell you about one of the most interesting experiences we have had so far. I have to say, that when this was first proposed on our itinerary - staying at a farmer's house - we nixed it and said find us a hotel - not interested. However, after discussion with the travel agency, we decided this would be an interesting experience. There is a village of only a few thousand people where we were going. This village was very old, small and frankly very delapidated. The Chinese government decided to build a new village and relocate everyone to new homes. They had been relocated about 10 or 12 years ago. The homes were all duplexes. Each family had a downstairs with a "living room", kitchen and a couple of bedrooms and a bathroom. Upstairs was two bedrooms and a bath and an open area. Each duplex had it's own garden. The village started a program several years ago where families could apply to become an official host for visitors. the families would be compensated and they had to meet certain criteria with western style bathrooms, air conditioning in the bedrooms, cook meals for the visitors and have provide insight into the village or farm life of their community. We arrived late afternoon to the village. The top picture is the group of ladies ready to greet our families and take each family to their home. When we got settled in they had us help them make dumplings - which was really just to put the filling in the dumpling and seal it up - but the kids thought it was very neat. They then made dinner for us - but didn't eat with us although we encouraged them to. They did not speak much English. We were told they may not eat dinner with us because they may be concerned that they couldn't communicate and it would be awkward. After dinner, we all walked to the community playground and basketball courts. Each night the village meets, exercises and they put music on and people dance. They put on alot of western music when they have visitors because they think that is what we want to hear - the younger kids love it because they like to dance to music such as "YMCA"...and old music such as the hokie pokie. itwas very funny. finally they put on Chinese folk music and we got to see some traditional Chinese folk dancing and some of the girls learned how to do some of the dances. They also played the electric slide - go figure!
Herb exercising with a village lady.
The front of the house (they are duplexes) where we stayed. See the sign over the door - it is below also - this differentiates this house as approved for guests.
Making duplings in their living room.
Making duplings in their living room.
Ben trying his hand at making dumplings.
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