Hangzhou is a smaller city…only 12 or 13 million. We arrived here after a full day yesterday visiting the Silk Factory (where we had an opportunity to buy stuff after visiting a “factory” where “workers” removed silk threads from silk moth cocoons). We had lunch (we are longing for a tomato sandwich) then off to the state embroidery factory where two-sided embroidering techniques are demonstrated. Of course, there is a remarkable opportunity to acquire embroidered items at discounts unseen in America and, like sheep, we are led to the store where a small army works the room. The damage to Canadian wallets is extensive, but not enough to dampen spirits.
Later, to let the credit cards cool down, we’re brought to the Lingering Gardens in central Hangzhou. This is an 18th century walled garden built by a well-to-do senior bureaucrat who wanted a place to chill. Entering the garden and walking through the grounds is an exercise in relaxation as you meander through room and corridors, all exposed on at least one face to the outdoors, and experience tableau after tableau of carefully arranged bits of nature. Rocks, trees, shrubs, water and paths layer out meticulously between various buildings designed to meditate, ruminate or simply get a group of friends together and read poetry. The effects, from the magnolia trees to the massive ginko biloba trees to the perfectly manicured bonsai trees all contribute to this odd feeling of warm fuzziness.
Arriving in Hangzhou, we find a restaurant and have some more Chinese food. It’s not that Chinese food isn’t good…it’s just not chockfull of variety. After 6 straight days of rice, steamed vegetables, fried fish and chicken or tofu chunks fried in veggies and sauce, it gets a tad repetitious. And when your beverage choice comes along, you get a small tumbler of coke, water or Chinese beer and no refills. The other night I escaped from the crowd, found a Subway and feasted like some rat who stumbled on a cache of aged cheddar.