Ho Hi Park and Working Out Chinese Style!

This was really funny. They have these little workout areas all over Beijing. They are meant for elderly people mostly. They have a bunch of these rustic, somewhat primitive metal work out machines that are just open to the public on the side of the road. It was quite funny and a good alternative to paying for overpriced gym memberships!

This little Chinese couple were laughing so hard at me. They were teaching me how to use this machine and the little lady was kicking my tail! She was one tough cookie!
I'm not sure if we got this one right or not!

This was another of our favorite experiences (we had many favorites). We went to Ho Hi Park -- a big beautiful area with a big river running through it. At night, it's a gathering spot for many of the younger people -- lots of restaurants, bars, etc. We rented a "rickshaw" (a cart that is pulled by a bike and driver) to take us around the park. It was very romantic! Our driver also took us on a tour of the "hutongs" which are VERY narrow alleyways (just barely wide enough for our rickshaw) that wind around in a maze. It's really fascinating!

With our rickshaw driver -- he was skinny as a rail and I'm still trying to understand how he was able to pull us around for over an hour!
Mom and Helen in their rickshaw -- we were following close behind.
This man was making figurines out of SUGAR! Yes, sugar! Somehow, he would blow air through this little straw into the sugar and then stretch and shape it into these hardened figures! He made me a nice horse!