Day Two - Beijing City Tour

Running on about 7 hours of sleep for the past 48 hours, we jetted off to see the major highlights in Beijing. First was Tian-an-man Square. A huge city square lined with important government buildings. I enjoined the people watching more than anything here. There was a young (but in China everyone looks young) father with his maybe 3 year old son. The father had a ribbon on a stick and was twirling it around while the youngster danced and tried to catch it. Proof that children can be adorable in any country. Also, not the greatest manors/hygiene. Check out one of the first photos I took in China... man picks his nose. Ha.Ha.

We kept walking (south I think) to the Forbidden City. The front gate had a huge picture of Chairman Mao staring at you. There was also a water and music show a la Las Vegas. We entered the gate and saw a beautiful courtyard surrounded by ornately painted buildings. Then through another gate to another courtyard and another gate to another courtyard before we even reached the Forbidden City. It seemed to go on forever, each courtyard a bit more detailed and interesting. The last courtyard before we exited was a very nice garden with old cyprus trees and peonies at the end of their bloom. 

We hopped on the bus to go to lunch. It was served family style on a Lazy Susan. We had a mixture of cooked vegetables and meat dishes as well as duck soup, beer, and green tea. The meal was sufficient and worked well for a group of twenty (ten at each table) but nothing to write home about... Haha get it? 

After lunch we toured the Temple of Heaven. In the garden area we met with a TiChi Master. She was at least 60 years old and didn't speak English. She taught us some of the moves. I got a thumbs up... Does that make me a master too? We visited the temple used to pray for a good harvest. Just as we were about to walk up the steps we were directed down. The temple was closed to visitors at that time, for no apparent reason, except a possible private group showing. We saw men in white shirts going up the steps as we were leaving. None the less we enjoined our time there and got some great photos of the pagoda without any people around it which is a rarity.

Shopping was next along Qian-men Street. They had a Saphora, Zara, and H&M. Again, I enjoined people watching. There is some very strange fashion here. Tights with cat faces on the shins, book bags with big lime green spikes on it, and a faux Burberry plaid short suit. Photos to come!

Dinner was a big letdown. It was the special Peking Duck meal but was actually identical to lunch plus some roasted duck, pancakes, and plum sauce. It was good but not great. After dinner we went to a KungFu show which was entertaining and very interesting but the venue was HOT! Whew we were all sweating and so happy to get outside to the beautiful cool evening breeze.

I'm so enjoying learning more about the culture and taking in the architecture of China. Oh, almost forgot... Kate and I often get our photo taken as we walk by the Chinese. We were even asked to take a photo with a young Asian girl, maybe Japanese? Too funny. We are the first American girls they have ever seen. I feel the need to dress better to better represent American women... Sorry if I let any of you down! 

Another big day tomorrow! Great Wall climb and a visit to the Beijing Olympic site.