Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th Of July From Guangzhou

Well after naps yesterday we went back to Lucy's for dinner and then did a little shopping at a souvenir shop before heading back in for the night.  The guy who runs it is a Christian - pretty cool!  He loved Grace's name and asked me if from the Bible!  Another hot day - 97 degrees and humidity crazy!
 
Heat today not much different, high 96. This morning we went to a Buddhist Temple.  It is over 1500 years old.  Wasn't too sure about that visit.  Thought it would be good to have pictures and understand some of the religion and culture so I could better explain to her one day our beliefs as Christians.  It is part of her heritage but not part of our beliefs if that makes sense.  A lot of things made me very uncomfortable.  Honestly first time I have witnessed anyone worship anyone but our God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  To see these people bowing down and burning incense offerings before these large Buddhas really blew my mind.  So many scriptures flooded my mind and my heart was saddened.  I guess I never really thought this much about it before.  The reality of it was a bit shocking! The Buddhist religion although came from India is the largest religion in China. They do have more Christians here now then ever.  Sad thing though is many of the young people have no religion. 
 
We then visited the Old Chen House, also known as the Provincial Folk Art Museum.  It is the best preserved Quing Dynasty building in Guangdong Province built about 100 years ago.  It had lots of colored porcelain and lime sculpture on the roof, stone and wood carving all over the house and different kinds of Cantonese folk arts exhibitions in each room including Ivory carving, Quing Dynasty Furniture, embroidery and Chinese paintings.
 
From there we went to the Guangdong Arts and Crafts Shopping Center.  It is a local arts and crafts shopping center run by the Guangzhou Municipal government.  They had things like colored porcelain ware (egg shell porcelain, vases, tea sets, kitchen ware), jade carvings, jade jewelry, pearls, embroidery, chop, silk, bone carvings, Chinese tea, Chinese music and traditional clothes and carpets. Picked up a few souvenirs.
 
Back to hotel now, grabbed Subway for lunch (Grace not too found of that) and Grace is down for a nap.
 
Tonight we are going with the group to dinner at the Cow and Bridge Thai restaurant.  Will let you know how it is.
 
Miss you all so much!

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