Bound Feet Lady

Here are two more pictures of the same lady with bound feet.

Are There Still Bound Feet in China?

Yes, occasionally you can still see women with bound feet here. They are quite old and it is rare to see someone with bound feet. They have a very distinctive type of walk and very tiny feet, so it strikes you as quite strange if you happen to spot someone. I was up north in the Bei Chen neighborhood one day sitting on a bench and a little old lady goes shuffling by me with her bound feet. It was so unique. They have to wear special shoes made for them. I have seen bound feet only three times in the five years I have been in China. The women appear to be in their 80's to 90's. A 90-year-old woman would have been born in 1919. That sounds about right historically, because in the 1920's, and even earlier, the government was sponsoring programs to put a stop to foot binding. It is a very painful process started at a young age. The young girl's feet cannot develop properly because they are broken and tightly wound up, so they cannot grow big. The result is a deformed little pointed foot that takes years of pain to achieve. These tiny deformed feet were considered beautiful, but they rendered the girl a virtual cripple her whole life! What a strange cultural practice.

My 'Year of the Ox' Door Decorations

I put up my door couplet for Chinese New Year. If you remember my post last year, my friend John Mark's father made them. They are beautiful Chinese calligraphy wishing good things for the new year. (scroll back to last year for a story about him making this door couplet) I also have a decorative ox head hanging on the door for the Year of the OX, my fifth Chinese New Year which I have been priveleged to ring in!!! Many Chinese decorate their doors for the new year. It is mostly red colors and very bright.

Here is some of the stunning Chinese architecture at the temple.

I have this thing for visiting temples here. They fascinate me. I've always been a student of world religions. Here is a Tibetan Buddhist temple up near Zhong Dian. They practice a form of Buddhism called Tantric Buddhism. I've studied it before, but it is so complex I don't understand it much. These monks are blowing on huge horns as part of their religious ritual. They sound really strange, loud, and almost haunting and mournful. When we visited here in Dec. 2008 we had to walk up many steps to the temple. We stood and listened to these monks perform.

Learning a Famous Chinese Game!!

Here is living proof that I do play Mahjong!!! These are two of my Chinese co-workers and one gal had just excused herself for a minute (remember it takes four!). Well, I got my butt whomped good. Remember, I am just learning. You do have to learn several Chinese characters to play it, since that is what is on the tiles. I have a little cheat sheet to help and I still get beaten. Oh well, play on!!