TRASHMAN

Yesterday I went with some friends from church to visit the "Trashman." He is located Northeast of Beijing and his store is this large building with all sorts of junk and treasures!  He had some interesting things. Some of it was total crap and other things were really neat and beautiful!  I found one item I really wanted and a couple of other unexpected things.  I found a calligraphy brush stand, an old wooden box painted green that I thought was pretty, and two old flags with dragons embroidered on them. The flags are dirty and worn but I hope to take them to the cleaners to see if they can be "beautified."  I would like to have them framed because I think they would look fantastic.  The "Trashman" himself is a bit of an interesting character.  You can bargain with him but there are some things he isn't willing to bargain on. After we all made our purchases he grab random items and tell us we could have them for free. I ended up with a teracotta buddah face that was painted black. The face is a lid and you can put incence inside to burn and the smoke comes out of the mouth of the Buddah. Also, I learned that if you pull out the cash and just give him what you want to pay rather than what he is asking, you are more likely to get the price you want. One of the girls in our group did that for a beautiful black entryway table she wanted and it worked pretty well.  Most of the other laides found some beautiful things - large vases, hardwood tables, wooden buckets, etc... There was a ton of old jewelry and coins, lots of benches, chests, and porcelin.  I found a bunch of old vinyl records of Chinese opera and music and I really, really wanted to buy them but I didn't because it was really hot and I didn't know if they would be okay.  I also liked the old metal xylophones - really beautiful. I think I may have to go back and get it. The problem is getting it back home or where ever else I end up after December. 
After our visit to the trashman we went to see a place called "George's Lamps."  These lamps were so gorgeous. Silk shades and all the bases were made from Chinese items such as Buddahs, tea sets, bird cages, statues, tibeten horns, old necklaces, etc... They were sooooooo beautiful and I decided I must have one but they are quite expensive so until I make more dinero I will just have to wait. He makes them to export so they are made to work in wall sockets in the states and Europe.  My favorite lamp was the red one with statues of Chinese ladies under it.  So beautiful!