On April the 21th, the XiCheng Tourism Bureau, hosted an event in Shichahai, celebrating the Guyu Festival and ushering in the 2011 Spring Tourism season for one of Beijing’s most popular tourist and relaxation destinations. The Guyu festival is a traditional Chinese agricultural celebration held to invite spring rains for the newly planted crop.

The event featured a group of “Rain Drummers”, whose instruments were covered with shallow pools of water. With every acrobatic strike, water drops flew about during the performance imitating a heavy downpour of rain, with thunderous drumming rhythm in the back ground. Other performances and activities included traditional music performances, lion dances, a pleasant boat ride around the lake, and a blessing for the good luck and fortune for the year ahead.

The celebration activities were held in the historic and cultural center of Shichahai, which is now a popular tourist and recreational destination in the West District of Beijing.

Roughly 600 years ago, starting from the Yuan Dynasty, Shichahai was situated at the northernmost section of the Chinese Grand Canal, extending from Beijing to Hangzhou. It served as an transportation link between the North and South of China, and an important hub in Beijing for commerce and trade.

Today Shichahai is a modern recreation and commercial destination with an area of 147 hectares, surrounding the QianHai, HouHai and XiHai, lakes. The entire area is connected by canals and pedestrian walkways which are spotted with charming restaurants, tea houses, and small shops all built in classic Beijing Hutong style architecture. During the day, Shichahai offers a quiet retreat from the bustle of the city which is enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike, who can often be seen walking along the canals, playing chess under shaded trees, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon pot of tea in a lake side teahouse. In the evening, the scene explodes in a bustle of night life with colorful lights, eclectic music, and bar hoppers strolling out in the night air. With a wide range of styles and flavors to offer, Shichahai is a great place for a pleasant afternoon, or a night out on the town in old Beijing.

It’s hard to tell exactly how or why, but after the Guyu festival, there were no less than three days of straight rain. With light sprinkles in the afternoon, and heavy downpours in the evenings, there must be a bit of wisdom behind the old celebration of Guyu.

Tips:
1. Boating: it’s a good choice for party, meeting and chat….
　　 At least 10-12 people/boat, RMB500 / boat.
2. Bus No. 5, 60, 107, 108, 111 to ShiChaHai or GuLou.

Ben Radel
2011-5-4

Yes this may be surprising, I was only 13 years old that time. But, don’t know how or why it happened to me so early. I fell deeply in love with a guy, who I used to think was annoying 2 months ago.

It was 1997, in Chittagong, Bang- ladesh, me and my family have just moved to a new apartment in a new area. So, after few weeks have passed, I started going back to school, since it was during Ramadan we moved. Well, I made some new friends in the neighborhood. This girl who was always hanging out with, her name was Ivy.

One day when I was going to school, I bumped into Ivy on the way out of my building, and she was standing next to this guy, he lived in the building right beside mine. He said “Hi” to me, and we just asked each other “how are you” and blah blah, then I had to leave. But I noticed that guy was looking at me. It was a different kind of look, look with love in his eyes. Few days later, I noticed whenever I go to school and come back from school, he is standing in his balcony, and smiling at me. If he is not around, and one of his friends see me, they start to yell out his name. Oh yeah, by the way, his name was Mamun.

So, I was very annoyed by those things. And I even told Ivy to tell Mamun to stop these foolishness. After my exams were over, I had a break. So I used to go to the roof and read books to spend my time. Mamun used to come to their roof also and both roofs where so close to each other that you can just jump from one to another.

Once I was reading a book, and I noticed Mamun come to their roof and he looked at me, and smiled. OH MY GOD! I don’t know what happened to me. That sweet smile just took me away. I smiled back at him, for the first time. I could never forget that moment. We used to smile at each other whenever we saw each other, but never had a chat. I was sure that he liked me a lot, because, anytime he would see me on the roof from his balcony, he came up to the roof right away. I fell in love with him very deeply. I was surprised that I did. The feelings I had was so beautiful and made me so happy.

Mamun did come to my roof one day to talk to me but I wanted him to go away. I didn’t want any one to see us talking. As you know, in Bangladesh rumors go around so fast. When we talked, I saw deep love in his eyes. I always smiled at him; I didn’t talk to him much. Still, life was going on so wonderfully. Mamun never told me he loved me. I thought that was because, I was 5/6 years younger than him.

Very soon, I found out that me and my family are leaving Bang- ladesh and coming to Canada. I was devas- tated. I cried all night but there was nothing to do. When Mamun found out, he asked me on the roof, if it was true. When I said yes, he asked how long will I be in Canada. The answer was maybe forever, we were going to settle in Canada. He looked depressed, all he said was “Oh”, then I told him out flight date.

The next month, it was Ramadan again. Mamun came to say good bye to me on the roof, he was leaving to spend his Eid with his family. That day, I was so sad, I felt like I lost something very important in my life. We said goodbye to each other, he said he thinks I am such a sweet girl, he hopes I have a great life in Canada. Oh my god, I couldn’t hold myself, I think my eyes became watery. I didn’t want him to see that I was crying. I said “you too” and tried to smile and left the roof right away.

That was the last day I ever saw my first love. Now 4 years later, here I am in CANADA. I have guy in my life now, whom I am deeply love with after Mamun. I never lose him.

I am … over Mamun now. Everytime I remember those days, looking at each other on the roof, talking, I feel really down. I wonder where he is now, if we will even meet again… I can never forget my first love.