Tanzhe Temple

Went to a temple about an hour out of the city today (Saturday) called Tanzhe temple. I was happy to be going somewhere after a week of pretty much constant homework and just short walks to explore the area around Beishida. This was another school-organized trip, so it was free and I didn't have to do anything. I'm actually very glad because I'm not sure I would have made the trip to this temple otherwise...it would've been a bit of a hassle. 

Anyway, the temple has apparently been in existence in some form since the 3rd century, although everything presently there was constructed much more recently.  

Demonstrating what a stereotypical tourist I am one of the first things I noticed was the funny translation of "non-recyclable waste" as "Organism." One of the ladies working there was really confused when I took this picture and even though Zoe and I explained that I thought the English translation was cute, she didn't seem to understand or perhaps she just didn't approve. Hard to tell.


Another great translation:
Some guys working to fix up the roof tiles I think:
I've now forgotten what this neat water stream carving was...but I think Emperor Qianlong wrote a poem praising it? haha I'm not really sure though.

Incense:
Zoe entering the East Guanyin Cave. Inside were three Guanyin statues, but I didn't take any pictures (well I did until we saw the no photos sign). Each was labeled with the specific things the Guanyins could help you with. For example, one was for people wanting children. Another was for studying and business. People can come in and pray to the one best suited to their particular situation/problem. People can also purchase red ribbons/banners to hang on the cave walls. They just write their names and their specific wish on the ribbons. One of the Guanyins we saw was surrounded by little dolls, apparently symbolizing children. It was actually quite interesting and sweet.
After the cave we went down a path that was apparently off-limits, just to have a closer look at what was at the bottom. It was a pond and in the center there was a statue of Guanyin standing on top of a fish. She was holding a jug in one hand and a sprig of some kind of plant in the other. Unfortunately she was totally white, so the pictures didn't turn out. 

We then started up a path to see the "Dragon Pool" which sounded very cool. About 15-20 minutes in we were exhausted, as it was mainly uphill. We asked some people coming down how much longer it would take. They said it was still pretty far away but well worth the trip, so we kept on going. Once we finally got there and saw the dragon pool we were a little disappointed....it had no water in it...and that was about all there was to see. I'm still kind of wondering if we missed something because the guy was so adamant that it was fabulous. Anyway, without further ado, here's the dragon pool:
After the pool hike we were both kind of hungry, so we bought a boiled egg each from the people at the stand in the picture below. I have never eaten such a delicious boiled egg! The deliciousness was enhanced by the fact that I was hungry, but it was still really good. I guess they boiled them, then cracked the shells a bit and boiled them again in salty tea water. So the entire egg was perfectly flavored and salty. And they only cost 1rmb each! I want another one as I write this.

People were throwing coins at these giant sized coins. There was a bell hanging inside each coin and it you hit it you apparently would get some good luck.
The view from one of the temple pavilions. The weather turned out to be quite nice. We saw lots of persimmon trees....man that is an odd looking fruit.


On the way out I stopped at some food stands to buy a few snacks. Unfortunately I hadn't seen Gary's blog stating that raw Haw tastes rather sour, so I bought some to try. They only cost 2rmb, but now I have to figure out a better way to eat them so I don't waste them. Note the tiny bite I took out of one of them...
I also bought some almonds (the white things in the picture are pistachios I bought in the past) for 6 kuai for half a jin (a chinese measurement... 1 jin = about 600g), as well as some dried, middle-eastern style dates that cost 15 rmb for one jin. The guy selling them told me that the dates are very good for your hair...I've never heard that before and I wonder if it's true.
In other non-temple news I have been knitting off and on when I have time (which has generally been rather limited recently). Here's the beginning of the toe of a sock....it's sitting on my rather hairy-looking fleece blanket, but oh well.
And I finally finished my alpaca shawl/scarf. It naturally rolls into a tube and I'm quite happy with it.
I've come down with a flu/cold and so I'm super tired and just planning to rest as much as possible for the next little while. I also have homework to keep on top of...I consistently feel like the slowest kid in school, but I'm trying not to stress since my grades here don't really matter at all. I have to prepare an oral presentation (with powerpoint slides if possible) about a Canadian holiday....anyone have any interesting ideas? I mean I know all our holidays, but they all seem a bit boring to me.