Sunday, October 10, 2010

Dandong...stuck in the middle


(The friendship bridge between China and North Korea)

This weekend we were invited to a Chinese wedding in Dandong, China. Dandong is about a three hour ride north, and right on the river across from North Korea. It is also where the Great Wall begins, but we didn't have enough time to do both. Being the daredevil that I am, I opted for the North Korean border.

(North Korea's coast)


(China's coast)

We ate a late lunch at a great restaurant and enjoyed the company of my family here...the Smiths, Judy and her hubby, and Janet and Maddie. After lunch we decided to take danger by the hand and went on a boat on the river separating North Korea from China. Now, I'm not up on my current event policies, but I know that US and North Korea aren't really the best of friends. Well...Judy recommended we take the official boat, so we complied.

(Our boat floating in the middle of North Korea and China)

There are two bridges that go across the river. One stops halfway, it was blown up in some war. (Sorry my facts are a little spotty.) The side that is missing was North Korea's, so where it stops is where North Korea begins. It was so interesting to see the differences in coastlines. North Korea's is barren and lifeless. There is a ferris wheel along the coast, although the whole time we were watching we didn't see it move once. People suspect that it is a fake one, to make the country more appealing. I mean really what country that has ferris wheels is bad? China's side, true to Chinese style, was larger than life and full of buildings and restaurants. If it could be lit up it was. I couldn't help but to think what the North Korean's think when they look over the river. Talk about envy.

(Tourists trying on traditional Korean dresses)
At nighttime the line was drawn even more, by the lights. Now, looking into North Korea we saw nothing but pitch black. Someone was joking and said Dandong probably looks like Las Vegas to them. I'm not sure how accurate that is considering they probably have no clue what Las Vegas is. We spent some time on the balcony of this lovely coffee shop and enjoyed the dichotomy of the place.

(Where the lights stop, North Korea starts)

We got back to the hotel and relaxed and then got a call from Judy and Joe to join them for dinner. Dandong is known for yellow clams and they wanted to try them. Little did we know what we were in store for.

(Aligator, fish intestines...you know the norm)

Dinner ended up being delicious, well the parts I ate. I am still confused as to how the Chinese stay so skinny when they serve so much food. After dinner we were all exhausted and went straight to bed.

(Noodle fish...they were fish, but just tasted like bread)

In the morning a bunch of us went to Xu Dan's parents' house to watch the "hide the bride". It is a Chinese tradition that the man go to the bride's parents' house and pick her up. The trick is before he can take her he has to get to her. He is taken through some obstacles, asked questions (Who will be the head of the house when you get married?), asked to do silly things: sing a love song, yoddle, and bring food.

(Xu Dan's hubby trying to get into the room to find her)


(He found her! The beautiful bride)


(The all women band played while he was walking to her house)


(Kids from Xu Dan's village watching all the fun)


(Chinese wedding pictures...exotic and over the top)


(Red symbolizes happiness...love her red shoes and stockings!)


(It is tradition that the bride's mom send her on the way with food. They normally split the food in half symbolizing the families are now separated. When a woman gets married her parents lose a daughter and the groom's family now has one. This goes on for the rest of their lives. If they have a child it is the groom's parents' grandchild, not the bride's parents'. )


(Once again, cigarettes at weddings. I was told this is special wedding packaging)

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