Happy Tomb Sweeping Day–or Happy Qing Ming Jie (literally translated “clear brightness day”). Today is one of China’s gazillion holidays. On this day, the Chinese honor past ancestors; traditional Chinese believed that the spirits of deceased ancestors looked after the family. Sacrifices could keep them happy, and the family would prosper through good harvests and more children. So, on this holiday now, Chinese visit their family graves to tend to any underbrush that has grown. Weeds are pulled, and dirt swept away, and the family sets out offerings of food. Then, they provide scrumptious offerings to their ancestors at altar tables in their homes including chicken, eggs, or other dishes a deceased ancestor was fond of. Accompanied by rice, the dishes and eating utensils are carefully arranged so as to bring good luck. Sometimes, a family will put burning incense with the offering so as to expedite the transfer of nutritious elements to the ancestors. Chinese holidays 101 for you readers out there.
Offices and schools were closed today, but shops were not (they close for nearly nothing). So, we set out with the families from our agency here with us and visited the medicinal herb market and the pet market. Yes, contrary to what some may have heard, there are some pets in China. We learned tonight from our friendly salesman Jack at a local place that families are limited to one dog only and will “have a problem” if they have more than one. He made a joke about too many people and too many dogs and how they limit both. These markets were CRAZY. We saw dried deer tendons, snakes, sea horses, and (my personal fave) frogs (I thought they were dried rats at first. yuck!). They sold live scorpions and turtles and fish and chickens. One family pulled up to a shop on a motorcycle, bought a fish right there without getting off their bike, and waited while the lady cut it up for them right there on the sidewalk. We watched as a shopkeeper killed a chicken right there for a customer. It was an education. The pet market was slightly less icky–adorable kittens, baby ducks, turtles, crabs, bunnies, even chipmunks! We saw one guy ride up to a shopkeeper with a handled bag full of kittens. He sold them to the shopkeeper for 6 yuan each (about $.90) then rode away. The shopkeeper will turn around and sell them for a little more than that. We saw quite a few loose cats today–shopkeepers like to keep them around to get rid of the rats. Oh my. We continued onto a more mainstream shopping area that was just mobbed. Check out that picture Mark took of the crowd there. Can you see why we’d stand out here? We refrained from eating lunch there though–the fried squid a lot of folks were having just didn’t look so good to us.
Guangzhou is under some serious construction right now which makes walking around a little difficult, and everything is pretty messy. They are working super hard to make this place look amazing for the Asian games being held here in November. Mark took this picture of the guy working from our hotel room window. In the close up, it doesn’t look so bad. But, check out how high up this guy was. Yikes.
I know, I know, no pictures of Lydia posted today. I promise you that anyone who has the patience can sit and look at the 1,700 pictures we’ve taken thus far (that’s not a joke)–about 1,500 of which include her. I’ll be sure to post some tomorrow of her.
Dear Evan, Ashlyn, and Drew — we videotaped the markets today to show you. It was crazy! Wait until you see all the interesting things they were selling there to eat and all the pets they were selling. Can you imagine having a chipmunk or a crab as a pet? We’ve been telling Lydia about all of you and just can’t wait for you all to meet her soon! She loves to play and giggles a lot. I know you three are going to come up with lots of ways to make her laugh! Oh, we can’t wait!
Wow, you are getting quite the education on that trip, aren’t you!?! I enjoy reading about it all, considering we will be walking those very streets pretty soon.
Hope you are all staying healthy and enjoying your final days before returning home. Look forward to seeing more photos of your precious little Lydia soon!!
God bless! <><
~ Tanya
Aren’t those markets crazy!! Sounds like you’re enjoying your time there…soaking it all up! Yes…we need Lydia pics!!
Are those frogs dried?
Yikes,I think I would have passed on lunch too!
Nicole
Gosh, I remember those crazy streets, drivers, large buildings, unusual smells and things that I would never touch my lips! We’ve been home with our daughter almost two years now and looking and reading your blog has brought back so many exciting memories. What a gift you received and your daugther is absolutely beautiful…heck, your whole family is beautiful. I wish you continued blessings on your trip and hope that your travel home is safe!
Sherry Crist
http://www.rachellorraine.blogspot.com
WE WANT LYDIA PICTURES!!! Hahaha. Glad to hear that you guys are doing well, and are staying healthy in Guangzhou! Enjoy it! I loved Guangzhou!!!
Yeah…we opted out of seeing the markets-I’m a huge pet lover-animal lover and couldn’t see that and not be deeply effected. You’re more adventurous than we were for sure!
You can share the sights of the markets with your readers, but you just can’t share the smell. It’s something that can only be experienced, no? Same goes for the squatty potties.
So happy you’ve been having good weather there. Isn’t Guangzhou lovely this time of year?
Wow, your time there is coming to an end. Seems your trip has gone so quickly. Enjoy your last few days!
Hugs,
Petrie
Wow, what an experience! we, too like Lisa opted out of that experience! Good pictures though, and a great write up! Can’t wait to see more pictures of your little beauty though – can’t believe your time is coming to an end in China – but the real journey is just beginning :)