Victor Sizemore's Blog

The day I arrived in China and Saturday the weather was unsually nice, clear, and blue skies. I figured it would be the same today but instead I woke up to the cloudest, haziest day I had in a while. I was leaving for the Commune by the Great Wall at noon so I wanted to squeeze in a Peking Duck at lunch. The origanal place I wanted to go was too far away so the doorman sent me with a slip of paper with Chinese writing to a closer place. I really didn’t know what to expect except for a whole roasted duck being brought to my table. However, it was much, much more… This goes back to the traditions and methods again. The chef cut the duck into what looked like 120 pieces and arranged them a particular way with the sliced and crispy skin on top of the meat. Then there was sauce, onions, cucumber, and wraps on the table. So the server showed me how to eat the famous dish. You can some of the skin dip in sugar and with your wrap made you eat the skin and then a bite of wrap with everything inside. The combonation of flavour was awesome!

Next I was off to the Commue! This place is very unique and is rated as a four star hotel. They have 47 building that have anywhere from 6-10 rooms each with a common kitchen and living roof. I was in the Chavalar 3 with the best view or the Great Wall. They have a spa, resturant, trendy bar and even their own private section of the Great Wall. This particular section has been un touched and not renovated.

Quick Great Wall facts:

- It was started over 2000 years ago and different sections were completed and linked by different Emperors.
- Close to 4000 miles of wall, ranging from 3-15 feet wide, and up to 25 feet tall

Did I mention it was foggy!

Commune buildings, mind is the red one on the right about half way up the photo.