Temple fair + 'The Outback Steakhouse'

First day of the new year we went along to a temple fair. What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear this name? I was expecting to go to a temple to watch buddhist ceremonies performed by monks and light a joss stick or two. It turned out to be nothing like i expected.












Every city holds temple fairs, and beijing has several going on, all located in different parks (not temples!). The 'fair' part of the name is more of an accurate description of this event. It's sort of like the ekka in qld, or the royal show? you get in other states in oz, but without the showbags, rides, and farm shows. There are various cultural performances on show from the various regions in china - we managed to catch the end of some guangdong face changing show. The main feature seems to be sideshow alley like games, food stalls, and stalls selling all sorts of brightly coloured props and games. There you go, cheap and corny props, there's one thing similar to the ekka :) Things on a stick seem to be the biggest seller -doodads that move in the wind and make clicking noises, plastic imitation food, fake flowers, scarecrows, and poo. YES. poo on a stick.
I reckon people buy this stuff so they can hold their sticks up high and allow they're friends to find them in the crowd. Just hope nobody else has bought the poo on a stick.
The only thing i was right about was the praying bit. In the centre of the fair there was prayer station (?) set up. I guess people go there to pray for good fortune and prosperity for the new year. But then oddly enough, right up there on the altar next to the joss sticks the organizers had set up a karaoke station for anyone to act like an idol! I fail to see why you would place crowing wanabe idols right next to the people trying to say a silent prayer to the gods. Maybe people were getting up there and dedicating songs to the gods?!

Theres all sorts of whacky stuff you can get - obama and bin laden masks, and even an "autographed" portraits of some well known, and disturbingly well known celebrities. One interesting thing we bought was plum juice in a bag, with what must've been dry ice added since the whole thing was bubbling and had steam coming out.
Actually there was one ride at the temple fair. If you're feeling extra special about yourself, you can fork out a couple of yuan to be carried around like the emperor in his little carry box of ancient times (sorry can't remember what it's called) I hope these guys didn't have too many mega-chunky western tourists lining up for a ride!

Becuase i'd been whinging to my rellies about my meat deficiencies over the last few weeks, they decided to take me along to a steakhouse to shut me up! ah but not just any steakhouse, 'The Outback Steakhouse'.
yep you guessed it, an aussie themed steakhouse in beijing, designed of course by a bunch of americans :( From the moment you catch sight of the timber shack from the approach, the corny stereotypes never stop coming. I reckon the bunch of americans who designed this place have never set foot in australia and based their whole design from watching mad max and crocodile dundee movies. SHAME! But at least it was quite a laugh. Enlarge pics to read menu. God knows how beijing people think us aussies live...



As for the food, it was pretty standard, nothing to get excited about. My steak tasted like something i could've bought at woolies and cooked myself, and the rib sauce is what gave the ribs any credibility. Still though, i was eating meat, and was happy enough with this!