2008-10-10

Posted at 09:47 UT by Tamara

16 Part Mini-series on China
Part Three of a 16 Part Series
SEGMENT 320
The Forbidden City Part Three

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Segment 320

Segment 320
Beijing, China
Forbidden City - Part Three
Rickshaw Ride through the Hutong
Dinner Entertainment Dance and Song
Part 3 in the 15 part series on China

Segment 320, third segment in the series on China, finishes up the tour of the Forbidden City, and the private area for the Emperor and his family and concubines, and then takes the viewers on a man/woman powered bicycle cart rickshaw ride out into the narrow street neighborhoods known as Hutongs where a lunch at a private home has been arranged.

I especially like getting out and away from the large hotels and into the villages and small communities to share our wealth with the people who need it most, and lunchtime with a small home of a widower and her miniature poodle fit this ticket.

We paid $3.00 for the rickshaw ride, an equivalent of $21.00 in local Chinese Yuan, for a short ride on flat, level streets, providing a good income to the Rickshaw drivers.

I noticed many of the locals also using the rickshaws for riding about, but most likely at a reduced rate for locals. I had heard this would be the case prior to entering China, different rates for foreigners, which it takes someone who lives locally to know about, but at least the money is going to people who need it, and not to large hotels, and taxicab drivers who may need it less, so I wasn't too disturbed by the discrepancy.

A dinner performance is included from that evening as well Dressed in traditional costumes of bright red, to ward off evil spirits, and the national color of China, a young maiden performs a native dance accompanied by the singing of one of the young male waiters, who expresses his enthusiasm for Americans and for the Olympic swimming. It is always such a delight to hear positive feelings expressed, as it always draws us closer to one another.

The following day visit to the Beijing Zoo to watch the beloved, and endangered, Giant Pandas breakfast on bamboo, is also very charming.
These are the only known bears who have become vegetarian, possibly because meat became rare and scare in their environmental development. They like only one kind of bamboo and must eat a lot to sustain themselves.

Several of the twins at the Zoo were moved from recent earthquake hit southern China, where they are being bred in captivity to help increase their numbers They are being sponsored by corporations, and you may find out more about how to help on-line by searching under Giant Pandas. There is hope for this beloved bear, because they can be bred in captivity, unlike many of our endangered species whose life cycles and fertility itself are linked to maintaining environment. .

Airing Schedule at Cable 27
SEGMENT 320
Part Three of the 15 part series on China

Airing Schedule for
SEGMENT 320

Tuesday, November 11th
5:30 p.m. news primetime
and again at
2:00 a.m.
when all other programming goes off the air.

Friday, November 14th
5:30 p.m. news primetime
and again at
2:00 a.m.
when all other programming goes off the air.

Labels: CHINA - 16 Part Mini-Series, GREAT GETAWAYS