Amber's Journal: Day 5

Today was Panda-monium!  We toured a panda breeding facility (we had our own private little panda on the tour!) and saw both red and black pandas.  I fell in love with the little Red Pandas--they're smaller, rather raccoon-like and ruddy colored.  They're just as nap prone as their larger brothers, but seem maybe just a whisker more playful.  Fact of the day--panda poop is green!

After a fabulous hot pot lunch (with unreal choices of seasonings for your pot!) we saw the Face Changing/Chinese Opera.  I'd heard about Chinese Opera, maybe seen a little on TV...boy was this an experience! 

This is NOT like Western opera.  Yes, there's singing and plenty of music...but it's really much more like a variety show.  There's no one storyline to what goes on--it's a succession of different acts.  There were opulently costumed dancers, shadow hand art, face changing acts, a puppet show, a singer, musical interludes, and even a comedy number.  You also have tea and snacks as you watch the show, can shop at the little stores that surround the courtyard, and even have massages or ear cleanings!  David experienced a cleaning and massage...or endured it one could say.  He assures me I wouldn't have enjoyed it...one step is them ringing a high pitched tone in the person's ear!

I would do Chinese Opera again--it's a very ADHD friendly experience! Plus the tea and nibbles made it so relaxed and almost homey!