Bob and Ann in Elder Hostel China Odyssey 2004

Chonqing Street Scene


Ann and Carmel Candy

Saturday, April 10 -Touring Chonqing old town is a marvel. Lots of cats in homes and appealing dogs on streets where Chinese have flocked for traditional treats. We were immediately pegged as likely candidates for English language practice. A group of school girls encircled some of us and eventually we were all in group photos and exchanging hugs. A young man later enaged Ann in discussion of basketball. He, it turned out, was a young communist volunteer complete with white coat and red shash. Bob “won” Ann a carmel confection delicately formed of carmelized sugar, perhaps a fish, by a candy wizard who cooked it on a flat stove top. The Tong compound was a stop, complete with white cat. At a tea house near the end of this tour we were treated to local folk music concert on traditional instruments except for a Western Cello on which Vera Jiji played a version of Red river Valley joined by the other musicians who all know this song. We have heard variations of RRV all over China so far!

Stillwell Memorial

Lunch back at the H.I. same as dinner last night with addition of a Chinese wedding being celebrated in the banquet room next door. The home belonging to General Stilwell of World War I and II fame makes a fine museum commemorating Sino-American cooperation against the Japanese at the time.

Welcome Aboard

After another Hotel dinner marked only by outstanding eggplant dish, we were bussed to the docks where we walked down a long gang plank path out to board the Victoria Empress, our home for the next 3 days. We have a comfortable stateroom on the 3rd deck with balcony overlooking the Yangtze. The boat has 112 passengers and the same # of crew!. It’s quite fun to embark on this voyage.

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