Thursday, 19 August 2010

Hutong

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From here the next port of call was a bike ride through the Hutong area, where the place looks like a slum, but it's not.

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The people don't display their wealth on the outside, so some of the houses were quite nice.

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We learnt that the number of beams sticking out above the entrance indicate the social standing of the person living there. 4 beams was pretty good going!

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and the stones at the entrance gate indicate the profession. Squares would be something academic and circles something military. This dude only has level 2 status though.

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We had a lovely lunch in one such home where the family had temporarily converted their home into an eating establishment. It's all part of the tourist thing and I think they get paid for opening up their house.

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This woman was cycling alongside our ride trying to sell us things. There's no escape!

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Heading back to the coach now.


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Don't drink and drive people.

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Unsure what this is about.

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Inside another house and I was blown away by the detail in these prints that the man of the house draws in his spare time.

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The family were always happy to pose for photos despite Colin's unfortunate mutation. He died shortly after this was taken.

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This didn't come out very well partly because I was trying to take a picture of the live duck she's carrying without her realising. I failed and I didn't need a translator to know she wasn't happy.

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"OK. So you've touched my thigh. My turn now"

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Chinese cars can fly...just not here.

Getting to experience this part of the city was great but I felt a little uncomfortable with the whole bike ride thing, partly because of this Banksy piece that was in my head the whole time...

IMG_3435

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