Gentle Reader...
Afternoons are devoted to Conversation Groups during the Summer Institute. This designation offers a wide range of options. Our classes generally took over the plans for the afternoon seminars, which often included some kind of journey.
One afternoon, my class took me to Wetland Park in Qing Zhen. They apologized for the appearance of the park even before we arrived, as they said much of the wildlife had been damaged due to the torrential rains we had the week before. They also shared with me that they wished it were spring, as the park is at its height of beauty in that season. Wildflowers, they told me. Everywhere.
So on a sweltering July afternoon, we traveled to Wetland Park. Everyone offered their umbrellas to me, indicating that I needed to protect my skin. Showing them the white shoulder strap markings on my tanned skin, I graciously rejected their offer for a sun umbrella. By the way, the sun umbrellas are a huge industry here. The designs are beautiful, the colors spectacular, and the embroidery and cut-fabric work are lovely.
Once again, this nature space took my breath away. Even though many of the greens had been trampled down by the rains and high winds, they were still amazingly beautiful. Sculptures of Miao people greeted us as we entered the park. Many folks were fishing, sitting underneath the shade of the gazebo, or just walking leisurely through this beautiful space.
After our stroll through Wetland Park, the class took me into the downtown area for a special cold dessert specialty of Qing Zhen: BingFun (fen). This is a bowl of cold broth with soy nuts and glutinous rice chunks. Although I wasn't exactly keen on the flavor or texture, I did relish the refreshing coldness of this dish on this very warm day... As with most any new food I tried in China, I am swept up by the generosity of my class, who wants me to taste all the delicacies they love...
Namaste,
Marianne/Bailing
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