In medieval attire, two carpenters ply their trade in a tour of duty
The bustle in the Beijing alley suddenly evaporates and silence descends. The sea of bodies in the pedestrian street parts and two tall western men with shaggy red beards and top hats stroll out of their midst.
Wearing medieval attire and grasping heavy walking sticks, they make eye contact with several onlookers, nod solemnly and bid them good day in halting Putonghua. But their social efforts are largely met with open mouths and wide-eyed stares.
'Are we crazy? Ya, I suppose you could say a little. But not mad crazy, just crazy about our traditions,' says Manuel Euezmann.
Mr Euezmann and his friend, Eric Weise, are German carpenters following a guild tradition that dates back to medieval times. The ancient custom dictates that after completing their three-year apprenticeship, they must spend three years on the road plying their trade and picking up skills from craftsmen in foreign lands.
The tradition stipulates that the travelling carpenters cannot come within 50km of their home town during this period.