HENAN PROVINCE, CHINA,
A DESTINATION WITH SO MANY "FIRSTS"

HOSTS WITH THE MOST
The Chinese are known for their great hospitality and are always inclined to show as much as possible of this massive, historic, amazing country.
 

KAIFING'S THE TERRIFIC THEME PARK
Most tourists come to @Millennium City Park, which is what we would call a theme park. Fire eaters, acrobats, horse show and the view from the Rainbow Bridge. It's huge and although we spent over 3 hours seeing shows, most without admission, we still needed more time. The kid in me showed through.
 
In the evening, the water show I (tickets are so very difficult to obtain) which takes place on the lake utilizing high tech audio and visual effects, The show,"Dreamlike Glory of the Song Dynasty, is presented against a backdrop of mountains. A floating huge red lotus flower opens to display several actors. It's a Chinese version of EAU, Le Cirque du Soliel show but with castles, brilliantly coloured costumes, and unusual lighting.
 

ANOTHER SIDE OF KAIFENG, IS UNEXPECTED
It's as the first community welcoming Jewish people. Historic records show the Jewish presence began in the 8th century. However, other historians say it was the 10th. Some of the traditions remain and many Chinese families practice rites, but don't know why. An example is the lighting of candles on Friday (Sabbath) nights.
 

TAI CHI AND ME
Jiaozuo, is the city known for the origin of Tai Chi Chuan. After the master and students demonstrated, one of the masters, invited anyone in the audience to try to follow his performance. I did. Loved my 15 minutes of fame. Then, I was interviewed for Chinese TV (with a translator ) who asked my thoughts about this ancient exercise. "Ballet and floating gracefully", a knock-off of the late Mohammed Ali's famed phrase.
 

WET AND WONDERFUL
On a cold, stormy, rainy, nasty day, we wouldn't have wanted to miss seeing Longman Grottoes, a UNESO HERITAGE site. Our raincoats, which were handed out, looked like colourful garbage bags with hoods, but didn't keep us dry.
 
Luoyang, aka, "the city of poems" - a scholarly, cultural centre and also, the "city of flowers" known for the huge, colourful peonies is most famous for the 2000 niches, 70 Buddhist pagodas and I didn't bother to count other statues, trying to keep my footing on the ancient and slippery cobble stones, but there are over 1000,000. Taking pity, a kind Chinese man, not saying a word, held my arm as we climbed up and down dozens of stairs to the various Grottoes. Well worth the outdoor shower and sliding along the stones.
 

NO, A TEMPLE ISN'T JUST ANOTHER TEMPLE
From the huge carved granite gate, stairs led to other stairs which lead to halls, temples and pagodas located on several hundred acres.. Considered the best academy in China for marital arts, I expected Bruce Lee or his look-alike, to pop out of one of the buildings. Demonstrations are extraordinary. With more than 400 classes and courses for students, thousands of young people hope to be accepted.
 
Shaolin Temple, 'the number one temple under Heaven', is another UNESCO Cultural & Natural Heritage site. The @Pagoda Forest, where distinguished dignitaries are buried, is a most popular attraction. The numerous pagodas, about 15 metres (49 feet) high, made me feel very, very tiny and obviously after seeing an older group of men perform the strenuous marital arts feats, I also felt very, very meek
 
Barbara Kingstone

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