Laizhou

... it was another winter holiday when Shamil and I decided to visit one of our students. it's one good thing about teaching college students 'cause students can already guide you to some places which not every expat could go. we like visiting countrysides when things are real and rare and old.

... Laizhou is not a very countryside though. it was somewhere in between a city and a country. it developed but not so developed like bigger cities. there's nothing much to find like old traditional things of the past in such places aside from a little bit of their history.

... our student brought us to this old zoo where there we found few animals and a hall of gods' statues and the city's history drawn on the walls. the visit was fine. we didn't stay long though 'cause we actually just dropped by for we have to get a bus there to go to the village where my student's house is actually located.

... the nipple door. doesn't sound very nice, i know, but that's how they call it. they are some kinda traditional doors. i see them everywhere especially at the entrance of some big temples or city built within a city ...

... the zoo wasn't that attractive. it was old though somehow taken cared of. but conditions are not really that good. i liked this view though. i like the shapes on the frozen water. and the pagodas at the rear ...

... i like the bridge as much as the frozen water underneath ...

... there was an old hall where different kind of gods were kept. we're not supposed to make pictures inside but no one was there so we took a few. some of them looked very interesting. were not able to know what kinda gods they represent ...

... this one, (with all due respect) i don't know it simply reminds me of a superhero. 'twas sad that the one who takes care of the place wasn't there, we could have asked him to explain us things there ...

... you wouldn't believe me if i wouldn't have uploaded this picture. i actually got scared coming close to that cage. we had to go up the second floor and make these pictures ...

... it's a LION - for real! it was there in that kinda cage. whenever it growled, i got nervous fearing that has gotten out of the cage. i could imagine how it could ravage the screen ...