Lingering Gardens and last day in Suzhou - Suzhou, China - April 2nd, 2012
One the final day Randy and I would catch the Lingering Gardens. These gardens are quite lovely and smaller compared to some of the other ones we had been too. One of the great things about this garden though was the music (Suzhou Opera and storytelling that happened each hour), women dressed as noblewomen doing historical reenactments.
Even though it was morning, the gardens were crowded. There were at least 2 tour groups from America present and one from Europe and quite a few from China. We talked to a guy from New Orleans for a while and also a man from Virginia.
Throughout the gardens were pavilions where people could rest and one pavilion which held the stage where the Suzhou Opera took place.
The Opera was fascinating and the two singers were very talented. Their voices were clear as the servant and noblewoman sung.
The disadvantage is after the gardens we ended up having 3 1/2 hours until the bus back to Baoying, so we ended up walking back to the Old Street and visiting the Cafe on the Canal where we had grabbed coffee before. The street is so quaint and peaceful, and nearly empty that day since it was the day when most things are closed (Mondays in China).
The bus ride itself was longer than usual. But I ended up talking to a guy who had spent his final year at high school at the high school I'm teaching at, so that was interesting. The day had been sunny our entire time in Suzhou, but when we back to Baoying, it was back into the rain.
Even though it was morning, the gardens were crowded. There were at least 2 tour groups from America present and one from Europe and quite a few from China. We talked to a guy from New Orleans for a while and also a man from Virginia.
Throughout the gardens were pavilions where people could rest and one pavilion which held the stage where the Suzhou Opera took place.
The Opera was fascinating and the two singers were very talented. Their voices were clear as the servant and noblewoman sung.
The disadvantage is after the gardens we ended up having 3 1/2 hours until the bus back to Baoying, so we ended up walking back to the Old Street and visiting the Cafe on the Canal where we had grabbed coffee before. The street is so quaint and peaceful, and nearly empty that day since it was the day when most things are closed (Mondays in China).
The bus ride itself was longer than usual. But I ended up talking to a guy who had spent his final year at high school at the high school I'm teaching at, so that was interesting. The day had been sunny our entire time in Suzhou, but when we back to Baoying, it was back into the rain.