StalaCtites and stalaGmites
In Beijing now, being spoiled like crazy. Went shopping and got a new cell. Bought a new camera in Japan. And now contemplating a new MP3 player. Did I say I was spoiled? Well, I am.
Today, my aunt took my cousin L and I to this cave in the mountains outside the city, where we wandered in four levels of cave and gazed at calcium deposits and rock formations in the shapes of buddhas, faces, turtles, and other interesting chinese folklore objects. Well, as the guide put it, it was 30% nature and 70% imagination. I really thought the turtle looked more like a seal or a walrus. But it was really cool, and I mean it, because while it was 30 degrees outside, it was 15 degrees down in the depths of 300m underground. Ah, natural air conditioning! It was amazing to see what nature could do with water, minerals, and about 50 000 years or so. And do you know the difference between stalactites and stalagmites? StalaCtites hang from the Ceiling and stalaGmites grow from the Ground. Now you know.
Other than that, we have been shopping, eating, and shopping more, which is roughly the story of my favourite kind of vacation. Electronics are overall cheaper here, which is why I have been going on one splurge after another. Tomorrow, we are going to shop for a winter coat for my cousin, and probably one for me too, because I am in the mood to look at soft cozy down coats for the doldrums of December.
More later, probably when I get to Hong Kong the day after tomorrow!
Today, my aunt took my cousin L and I to this cave in the mountains outside the city, where we wandered in four levels of cave and gazed at calcium deposits and rock formations in the shapes of buddhas, faces, turtles, and other interesting chinese folklore objects. Well, as the guide put it, it was 30% nature and 70% imagination. I really thought the turtle looked more like a seal or a walrus. But it was really cool, and I mean it, because while it was 30 degrees outside, it was 15 degrees down in the depths of 300m underground. Ah, natural air conditioning! It was amazing to see what nature could do with water, minerals, and about 50 000 years or so. And do you know the difference between stalactites and stalagmites? StalaCtites hang from the Ceiling and stalaGmites grow from the Ground. Now you know.
Other than that, we have been shopping, eating, and shopping more, which is roughly the story of my favourite kind of vacation. Electronics are overall cheaper here, which is why I have been going on one splurge after another. Tomorrow, we are going to shop for a winter coat for my cousin, and probably one for me too, because I am in the mood to look at soft cozy down coats for the doldrums of December.
More later, probably when I get to Hong Kong the day after tomorrow!