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A Quick Smoke

I’m combining the next two days into one entry, mainly because Tuesday really only consisted of a quick stint at the Summer Palace and band practice for Offering. Wednesday however, was chocked full of eventfulness, consisting of not only a visit to the Great Wall, but also Offering playing a Beijing coffee shop – which from its sign I think was called Coffee Bean Tree 200.25 – as well as facilitating artistic discussion amongst local artists. Good times.

First off was Tuesday and the Summer Palace. For some reason that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put my finger on, between all the grandiose names for so many of these locations, I had a real issue getting this one’s name to stick in my consciousness. From time to time I’d incorrectly call it the Palace of Happiness, The Summertime Palace, or the Kingdom of the Traveling Pants… all wrong. All this aside, what I saw of this massive place was nothing short of breathtaking. I wish I’d had more time to explore it.

Once Wednesday rolled around however, it was off to the Great Wall of China. The day looked to be a dreary one, being the first of our trip to forecast heavy showers. I packed my poncho, cut a slit in it so I could use it to protect the camera while still being able to take shots, and off we went.

When we arrived, what had been a bit of a downpour had tapered off to a light drizzle, and by the time we had ascended the mountain and stood atop the wall itself, the rain was nonexistent – the sun even came out for a small cameo at one point. What was left in the storm’s wake were beautifully atmospheric clouds gliding along the mountain tops – a perfect compliment to the majestic Wall itself – and I can’t say enough about the wall. To think of how it was built so long ago by so many hands bringing materials up a mountain to create something this vast and expansive – it’s simply mind-boggling.

We walked along the top of the wall for a mile or more, encountering some pretty cool insects, water salesmen, and on occasion some pretty steep inclines. Eventually we reached our planned spot to come back down the mountain and were presented the option of taking the same type lift we took up the mountain or the entirely more fun gondola. I chose the latter.

On the way back to our bus, we had to travel through the same set of shops we came through on our way up to the wall, only this time, something caught my eye. It may have been inauthentic, it may have been mass-produced, but sure enough, it was a sword, and I was in China visiting the Great Wall. My curiosity got the better of me and I found myself haggling with the vendor over this 2600 yuan sword ($372). I didn’t have that kind of cash, and couldn’t pay more than 250 ($36), but with a bit of approval from the shop’s boss in the back, I managed to talk them down to just that… and I got a SWORD! There will be self-portraits of myself with this soon enough. Promise.

After a trip back to the hotel for a shower and change of clothing, it was off to the Coffee Bean Tree 200.25 in Beijing. While the band was setting up, I took a moment to wander off and shoot the busy city streets and the many street vendors outside. I was amazed at the varied styles of the urban Chinese. I could easily spot the native hipster stylings.

Later at the show, many local artists showed up, and in addition to performing, Jeanine Guidry held a discussion on art as a means of helping the less fortunate and invited those in attendance to our Chinese rendition of Arts in the Alley, on Friday.

Tomorrow we’d be visiting a variety of Beijing art galleries – one which Offering would perform at followed by a trip to the Bejing Opera to perform as well, all leading up to our last two days there and Arts in the Alley. See you tomorrow!