The German in Zhengzhou

I've abandoned any sensible order of blog posts.  Here's Philipp's week in Zhengzhou!
 

We took a day trip to Kaifeng, a former Chinese capital only 40 minutes East of Zhengzhou.  Walking along small streets, there are vendors selling every sort of good, including these bulk dried food (nuts and fruits). 

Fortunately, Kaifeng is not a popular tourist city but has a long history and played a significant role in Chinese history.  That combination means incredibly ubiquitous and inexpensive souvenirs!  Here I'm looking at the 4 meter scroll of 清明上河圖 or Along the River for the Qing Ming festival.  I got it for 30 yuan (or $5)

Look at the cool dragon!  Like my Lederhosen in Germany, I had to get a traditional coat in China.  Again, note the improving bargaining skills.  They wanted 100 and I got it for 55.  In Nanjing the woman wanted 150 for the exact same thing.

As Philipp and I came back from Kaifeng we were greeted with this train station.  A hall completely crowded as we struggled to understand what the chaos all meant. (We made it back, clearly.)

Note the startled, stung, unusual face Philipp displays here.  What could possibly throw off this well-tempered German?

We find our culprit--Baijiu (白酒)--Chinese rice wine.  It's the most common drink among Chinese men.  It's typically around 50% alcohol and unforgettable.  It is a must-try experience in China.  But trust me, one taste will satiate an unaccustomed tongue, as it, well, takes a lot of getting used to.

Wednesday morning Philipp and I took a bike tour to the famous Yellow river.  It's very shallow but incredibly wide.  The loess in the water colors the river a yellowish hue.  English may have the idiom, "when pigs fly" but Chinese has "when the yellow river flows clear".

Proof!  We made it the 25 km here on a mediocre road bike and a really crappy strolling bike.

(Mother, note the jacket and how safe I'm being.)  This is the river after which my province is named.  I live in Henan province, which means "South of the River".

At the yellow river, there is a pleasant park along the shore where one can actually ride a camel.  (We didn't, though.)  Admittedly, we didn't discover the park right away.  First we went on the incredibly busy bridge over the river, not knowing of a park.  Only on our return journey did we find this tranquil area.  If only we'd see this first!

This was the "highway" to the river.  The road suddenly stopped and turned into a huge construction site.  No worry through, you drive right through.

 

And despite the clear construction, lack of an access road, and absence of foot traffic, there are these hundreds of advertisements completely covering the facade of any building.  This is China.