The White Cloud Temple

Today started with a lecture by Professor Tuo Tianfu on Daoism. He was a bit difficult to understand but so far the most entertaining lecturer. He talked about the history and origin of Daoism in preparation for our trip to the Beijing White Cloud Daoist Temple this afternoon.

Even though the busy Beijing road was just outside the door it was amazingly peaceful and quiet. We started by throwing fake coins at two bells just inside the entrance. One was for wealth and the other for safety. I never hit the wealth bell but did manage to get a little ding on the safety bell. I considered the safety bell a priority so it wasn't disappointing for me.

There were little temples scattered throughout. It is an active temple so there were people scattered throughout praying and offering incense. There were also monks walking about, reading the paper and replacing the smaller incense when it burned out. I took several pictures of the huge incense burners. I kept thinking of both Bill and Craig, who have probably equally commented on my incense burning habits.

I popped in to pray to the guy who is in charge of disease and illness. I thought I had taken a photo of the information about him but can't seem to find it now. I do believe there is one of me taken outside the door by Henry but I can't find his specific information. In any case, I thought it was at least worth a shot. I didn't bow or do any incense or the things you are supposed to do but I stopped in briefly. It was one of the busier temples.

Henry and I are standing outside chatting and a Daoist monk comes over and hands me something wrapped in a red cloth. He is speaking to me and gesturing but I have no idea what to do. Fortunately Henry was providing guidance and I finally understand that I was to go in and pray. I kneeled down but am pretty sure that I didn't do it right. He gives me a box and opens it to show me that it is incense. He then motions for me to bow down again. At this point he was probably suggesting that I do that at some other point but I did it again anyway. Sunglasses, bag, camera are all over the place so Henry comes in to help me with my things. The monk brings out another box with a scroll and I'm starting to think that maybe he is selling these things.

Someone from Malaysia (I think that is right) was behind us and she said he means for you to keep it. The scroll he was holding was for longevity and wealth and was intended for Henry. The thing in red turned out to be a statue. The little old man with the white beard kind of statue. The male tourist then explained something about affinity and he said that the monk must have felt something about me or he would not have given me the gifts. Same for Henry I am thinking since he also received a gift. He said I could either go light the incense or keep it as a souvenir. I chose to keep it but was wondering if this was a mistake. He had taken me into the temple that had something to do with wealth. Maybe I was meant to light the incense. But as we gathered near the exit he approached again and gave me an incense burner. He motioned for me to fill it with something and then place the incense inside to burn. I figured this was a sign that I should keep it. I'm not really sure what to think of it but couldn't help being touched.

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After our visit to the temple we went to the Beijing Enamel Factory. Enamel as in cloisonne. It was interesting to see the ladies at work but we couldn't see more than a couple of ladies who seemed a bit like animals in the zoo who were on display. We shopped for what seemed like a long time - considering no one was interested in purchasing anything - and then went off to another part of Beijing.

Our guide for the day was a very sweet woman who we first meet on our second day here - the day I was sick. She took me by the arm that day and brought me back inside the building. She told the women at the front desk that they were to call her if I became ill. Very nice. I felt safe knowing that they had directions from her.

She and the driver dropped us off in the direction of a couple of streets and told us to shop for an hour before dinner. I finally bargained to make a purchase. I stink at it, as I knew I would, and bought two things that I could completely do without but I felt better for having done it. I mostly just walked up and down the street and said hello to the Chinese there. I got a few hellos and one "you are very beautiful." I figured it was the only English he knew but I accepted it nonetheless and gave him a proper smile in return.

We met after our prescribed hour for dinner. We were gathered around a table that was intended for two fewer people than we had but I believe it was the biggest table they had. Our guide had come in advance and ordered all the food so we pretty much just sat there and waited for food to arrive. We had Peking duck! Yum. I would definitely go back for that. The fried tofu was also quiet excellent. I did not try the sheep face and the duck bones. I'm a Chinese food lightweight. We finished with noodles that you can only get in Beijing. They were pretty good but I was too full to notice.

Finally, we were off to the Peking opera. I'm not really sure how to describe it. It was kind of like Chinese vaudeville with acrobatics. Perhaps I will have to revisit this later. I don't think I can adequately describe it. I have also been up since 6:00 and am pooped. It is incredibly windy here today and seems to be blowing in sand from the desert. My eyes are scratchy and tired and my legs were pelted with sand several times. I'll probably feel more like talking about the opera tomorrow...