Some older kids volunteer their time to help with homework and other basic needs of the orphans.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Children of Nepal
Some older kids volunteer their time to help with homework and other basic needs of the orphans.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Sacred Mountain Huashan
G had already climbed TaiShan (key mountain to the other religions as well) on a weekend trip from Beijing. Every important person in Chinese history seems to have taken the 6000+ steps up, from Confucious to the first emperor. It is said that by climbing this one all your bad actions will be restored, an important reward after the equally serious workout.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Xi'an
Crayfish are also popular, like in Sweden in the summer! But I did not dare to try them this time.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Pingyao
Yesterday morning we ran in to this salesman:
We just had to try his product, which tasted like a mixture of popcorn and peanuts, but the shape was the best part :).
After two months of traveling it was certainly time for a haircut, well. Lacking in language, we resorted to choose a hairdresser with a cool haircut himself and just pointed at his head :)
Nice pet :)
Dinner time is approaching: Checking the various "baozi" (steamed stuffed bun, sort of steamed dumplings) stalls out on the street.
Very tired after a whole day walking
The bell tower of Pingyao by night.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Datong
Sunday, August 12, 2012
S. Petersburg continued
Among the many museum, we could not miss the Winter Palace, hosting the great collection of the Hermitage. Lots of Italian masterpieces in there: a corridor full of sculptures of Canova, a couple of Leonardo's, Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian, Caravaggio...
Most churches in the city are also museums. People (mainly women wearing veils on their heads) visit the icons one by one, lighting candles and kissing the glass protecting the painting representing their favourite saints. The pictures are usually decorated with layers of silver and other precious materials. Some icons seem to be a lot more popular than others....
Do like the locals, right? So, when we saw a man having a glass of vodka during his lunch break, we had to give it a try too :)
One of the main attractions of S.Petersburg is to stay awake (and feel cold) until 1 am to see the bridges being opened and the ships going through. It's funny also to see the tourist boats going from bridge to bridge, observing the show from the water. Because the metro stops at midnight, you better be on the right side of town, unless you want to stay up until 5 am!
As a birthday present, Gabriele got a ticket to see Swan Lake, really appreciated!
The nearby palace of Peterhof is another of the main touristy attractions, especially for the great system of fountains, supposedly working without pumps...
See you soon in Moscow!