VIP Special

** this image is from http://www.bjcyjc.com****

Flying Tricksters:
Of the many possibilities we have read about that appear in the theaters of Beijing, the one that has excited me most is the prospect of seeing a theatrical acrobatic show.

We set out at about 5:39pm, knowing that the show starts every night at 7:15pm. We thought this would give us time to enjoy a meal, then see the show. The traffic was stop and go... so we arrived at the theater around 6:40pm. Just enough time to get some tickets and head into the theater. We bought the most modestly priced tickets (180 Yuan= $30) and were ready for some back-row action. When we walked through the glass doors, the odor of popcorn was overwhelming. The sound of the microwave ding and the continuous pop was just enough to elicit 33 yuan of concession nonsense out of us. This was for 2 drinks and a bag of popcorn. I was impressed that they didn't even open the microwave popcorn bag for you, ensuring that you get your money's worth.

As I mentioned, buying the cheapest seats, we were expecting to be sitting in the balcony, or near the back rows... Our seat was 3^rd row on the aisle. We were in VIP seating. I had forgotten to take into account that this was a major tourist attraction, and though we bought the cheapest seats that were listed in English, the possibility that there actually were cheaper seats didn't dawn on me until we were lead to our VIP seats. Once we were sitting, we realized that all the westerners were in the VIP section and only a few Chinese. Though it shouldn't have surprised me, it did. It makes me feel a bit on-the-spot when we are all herded into a specific area. I know I should have expected this from a tourist attraction, but I'm really not much of a tourist normally...

After we were settled and munching down on some mediocre microwave popcorn, a girl was walking the aisles with ice cream snacks. These chocloate covered ice creams were the equivalent of Eskimo pies on a stick. When she came by, Cullen asked for 2. I was impressed that he didn't argue when she quoted him the price of 10 yuan for each. To buy an entire box of them costs that much... but Cullen didn't even hesitate. Usually when he goes to buy ice cream from a vendor it costs about 1 to 3 yuan. We have been charged 6yuan for ice cream before, but in the Sanlitun bar district, where they know westerners will pay for it. Once again, another thing I should have expected. Theaters always overcharge for such things, why would Beijing be any different? The Ice cream was good. All of the staff at the theater spoke very fluent and clear English. I have no complaints about the service, or the prices when all things are considered. The service is well worth the price.

The show itself was a spectacle of talent and showmanship. The Opening with live Macaws flying over the crowd was awe-inspiring. Then came the laser projected at the crowd onto the transparent curtain that had the name of the show, “Flying acrobatics show” painted with two macaws in neon black-light reactive paint. The talking head that was projected with the green lazer introduced the show in Chinese with English subtitles on 2 different screens over the exits directly off stage to the left and right. We missed them until the intro was over...

The acrobats started with a little intro dance while they set up the see-saw that would serve as the launching platform for the first set of acrobatic stunts. The entire show was stunt after stunt. Bicycles, spinning plates, feats of strength and flexibility, flipping bowls, and even a large apparatus that consisted of two human sized hamster wheels that were connected so as to rotate around. There were only 3 errors that occurred late in the show. The first relieved Cullen and I. The tricks they were doing were so intense, it was good to see that they were still human. The first two were just spacial judgment errors while leaping through hoops. The last was an error with a bicycle. The rider had not gotten enough momentum prior to doing her hand stand on the bicycle and the bicycle slowed too much for her to finish the stunt. With the number of possible misteaks they could have made, just three was amazing. Just about everything they did, other than wear fancy costumes, and riding bicycles in circles, was the result of intense practice and constant training. I was impressed.

The show ended with the two macaws and two cockatoos flying over the crowd. As the curtains went down, the excited chatter of the birds echoed and overwhelmed the music they were playing to close.

Typical After thought:

We filed out with the rest of the crowd, past the acrobats selling dvds of the performance for future enjoyment. We were ready for some food. It was 8:30pm on a Tuesday night, so we were sure we would need to find a restaurant soon. We went for the subway with no specific destination in mind. One stop later, we filed out with a small group of passengers. Once on the surface, we started walking. We were exactly opposite the Italian Embassy. The neon signs on the strip of restaurants we passed were spectacular. China does neon right. Nothing really looked too appealing, so we continued to wander down the street. Trying to keep me from falling in the heels I decided to wear to the show was proving an exercise in extreme caution and balance. We passed a street crossing bridge and right around the corner, hidden a bit back, was Annie's Italian restaurant. I had read some reviews of the restaurant. They offer take-out and it is said to be really good. We decided to give it a try.

We sat down and started browsing the menu. Their selection looked to be good, and their atmosphere was so very interesting. The temperature this night was in the 50s or so, and the outdoor seating was deserted. When we sat inside and started to look around, we realized that not only was there a big tree right in the middle of the restaurant (it was protected by an acrylic box), but the ceiling was glass. You could see straight to the night sky. It was beautiful.

The table setting included, among the usual pieces, a blown glass container for both vinegar and oil. The oil sat in an outer bubble with a cork in it and the vinegar sat in an inner bubble who's cork was in the opposite side of the container. There was a loop to hang the contraption by right in the center, so it could be tilted either way so as to pour out your desired liquid. We were so captivated by the blown glass contraption that the waiter sold us one.

The juice was fresh, the food was good, and the service was friendly and timely. This restaurant is another on our short list of places we will gladly return to.

With our bellies full and our appetite for adventure satiated as well, we headed home. One more item off our checklist.