April 16, 2010
China Trip Day 6 – Part 3
Most Heart Warming Experience
By Maria Vandervert
Our group was privileged to take a tour of the Hutong countryside by Rickshaw. This is one of the oldest areas of Beijing. Hutong homes are created by the walls of courtyard houses, which are now state-owned. If the house had 4 beams, it meant you were rich, 2 – you were middle class, and 1 – poor. Our Rickshaw ride took us to Mr. and Mrs. Lee’s home. We were honored to have a home-cooked meal prepared lovingly by Mrs. Lee. Currently, she hosts a group in her house every day. The food was remarkable, the house small, and her kitchen a closet. I now know that I love lotus root and fresh green bamboo shoots. I also loved Mr. and Mrs. Lee and the countryside.
