SubscribeIn Beijing, we are the tourist attractions
As we walked the five or so minutes from our hotel to Forbidden City’s ancient sprawling grounds, people on the streets of Beijing stopped what they were doing to look at us. Some nonchalantly, others intently.
Obviously, they don’t often see four beautiful African American women of various ages and hues strolling down their streets.
My sister, sister-in-law, a friend and I were on our way with our guide, Masa, to Forbidden City - once the home of emperors of ancient dynasties. Once inside, people pointed at us – some gawking, others smiling. A few really curious souls asked if they could take our picture. (Click on the photo above for a fuller view.)
While leaving the Hall of Supreme Harmony, one of the ceremonial halls at the gigantic complex, an Asian man asked if we would take a picture with his daughter and son. My sister Margaret and I opted out. So did the man’s young son. My friend Cynthia and sister-in-law Ruby posed with the girl, who beamed and flashed a peace sign.
In that moment, it became clear we were as much tourist attractions as tourists and I was uncomfortable playing that part.
As we moved on, Cynthia explained that she decided to oblige the father’s request in the name of global peace. I joked that I wanted to charge 50 rmb (the local currency) each time someone asked to take a picture.
All of us at one time or another grew annoyed at the stares and the requests, but we allowed the better part of ourselves to come forward.
When my daughter Olivia joined us for a trip to the Great Wall at Badaling Thursday, her micro-braid hairstyle drew the same attention that our three natural and one permed styles also had done.
After panting my way to the top of the first tower, I joined Olivia who was already there. I eased through the crowd toward her at the back wall and rested against it. A middle-aged Asian man moved over to give me a little space and grinned widely. A woman who appeared to be his mother broke into a smile and looked at us in wonder.
He motioned with his camera. I looked at Olivia and shrugged. The man handed his camera to a younger guy who captured the four of us. When the older woman pulled out a small replica of China’s red national flag and stood next to Olivia for another picture, I handed the younger man my camera, too. Pictures taken, we parted by saying our good byes – “xie xie ni” in Mandarin.
My daughter and I started though the arched doorway toward the next set of steps leading higher along the wall. We stopped to marvel at the breathtaking landscape and the grandeur of the wall snaking along the vast mountains. An awesome sight. We stood there for a while before deciding that we had climbed high enough on the steep, slippery steps for one day.
We had seen about three other college-age blacks at Forbidden City, and at the Great Wall had met two black women from Detroit. We shared some of the same experiences but focused more on the excitement of being in this interesting country.
As I reflected on our encounters, I was reminded that small acts of kindness require little of us and give others more than we realize.
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