Giant Panda excursion today....

The list had been up on our Physio's door for days- yet names would be scribbled on and off almost instantaneously. 'Word' had gotten out that the Markets were on the cards. Cheap DVD's and fake polo's (I guess we all get our 'cultural fix' in different ways).... Although i'm not one to judge. Some of the girls were apprehensive about the Panda trip as it was an hour away, some had already been several times on trips previously, a couple opted to train and few took advantage of the free time for uni work.
I made my decision based on the fact the last time i had been was 3 years ago during our World Cup campaign- it was too hot for the Pandas to be outside- instead they were in their cages. It wasn't a very memorable experience...unlike today.
Before i continue my Panda speel i would like to provide you with an insight to my oh so eventful morning.
A very interesting start to my day... I woke early enough to squeeze in a swim before breakfast, rolled out of bed, swimmers, goggles, water and out the door. So... For my first human encounter i arrived on level 2, the lift doors open and BOOM. 8 staff from the North Korean National team, all male, i wasn't quite coherent at this stage but awake enough to engage eye contact and smile. I wandered by and sensed eyes watching from behind... they all let out an interesting murmur... words were exchanged then laughter... Now i didn't turn around however grinned as i walked away. I would laugh too if i saw a foreigner with the haircut I'm donning at the moment.
Human encounter number 2: Just about to hop in the pool and the entire Thailand team congregate at the window just beside the gym, im feeling a little vulnerable at this stage- as I'm the only semi dressed, semi shaved head, caucasian in sight, do i look over and smile? or just jump in the pool? I opt for both and unfortunately didn't manage either or very well. Just swim sal swim!
Its the afternoon now and I'm perched in the Starbucks about 10 minutes from our hotel, in those 10 minutes i came across... Such a contrast between the rich and the poor, (e.g an expensive looking mountain bike straddled by a man kitted out in lycra, compared to, a man riding a bike held together by what appeared to be sticky-tape) There are so many building sights, which would be a result of the earthquake 2 years ago Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, so many designer brands, enormous buildings- yet the stores themselves are empty OH & S is not a concern here... workers carry heavy slates of marble, wheelbarrows (wheels hardly revolve) are pushed and pulled along the footpaths, they do wear hard hats- not sure of the protection rating. Street sweepers work non-stop in keeping everything so tidy.
I don't recall China being like this... Perhaps the Earthquake 2 years ago and the clean up effort has resulted with this, a continual effort. AMAZING.
Sooooo back to the Pandas... We had a tour guide this time- his name was Jason. Absolute sweetheart. He managed to keep us all entertained and the eventual crew who attended the excursion were all pleasantly surprised with the amount of action. One of the first Pandas we saw was the Beijing OLYMPIC Panda, how special, he was a cute. The Pandas lay around a great deal, they eat copious amounts of Bamboo- by copious i mean an ABUNDANCE- 50 to 60kgs per DAY. We learnt a lot about the breeding centre- from only having 6 Pandas (who were all unwell) in the 1980's, they have successfully increased the Panda population to 83 within the centre. Considering the species is the rarest of the bear family, it is most important these breeding centres are established. Although held in 'captivity' they are very well looked after and fed tremendous amounts of Bamboo. An interesting fact our group also latched on to was that there are 60 different types of Bamboo and the Pandas only eat 27 types- picky eaters you could say. As a result the bamboo must be transported to the breeding centre from high up in the mountains.
Check out the latest album... PANDA ACTION!
Anyway i must get off this stool as my bottom has gone to sleep, i wonder what interesting things i will see during my walk back...
SAL. XXX