Temple of Heaven, Old is young and Kung Fu

Today we got up early to go to the Temple of Heaven which is another
beautiful example of architecture surrounded by huge grounds. The
palaces, temples and buildings where pretty spectactular but what we
found most interesting was the activitives of mainly elderly people
around the park! People of all ages from young children to what
looked like retired people where doing all sorts of physical activity.
From what we think was Chinese Zumba, to amazing stretching, crazy
push ups and muscle work outs. Their was even an outside gym set up
with bars and poles to do gymnastics on! We saw people doing circus
diablo (a couple that looked in their late 50's?!), waving ribbons and
playing this curious game, that seems very popular in China with all
ages, it's kind of like kicking about a hacky sack but with an
oversized shuttlecock with bright feathers. Slightly odd but popular
across Beijing and especially with people over 30. They seem to
regularly meet in parks to play this game. It was a wonderful glimpse
of Chinese people today and not just Chinese history. Again Michelle
was asked if people could take pictures of her which she is finding
very odd and blaming her curly hair for ! :D

Also today Gareth tried fried scorpion on a stick. The little ones
tasted liked crisps but the big black ones where a bit to chewy. In
the evening we went to a Kung Fu show. I wish we could show you
pictures of this but we weren't allowed to take any photos. The actors
were amazing fit and strong. Balancing on top of spears and breaking
metal bars over their head. An amazing evening.