So, to recap. Left on Tuesday (8/19), lost Wednesday when we passed over the International Dateline, and had our first full day in Beijing on Thursday.
Thursday, 8/21
Destinations: Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The City Planning Museum, Temple of Heaven
Weather: Rain
Eventhough it rained most of the day, it was a great day. Hey, we were in Beijing, not New York City!
They say that Tiananmen Square can accommodate 1M people and that would be right. Huge expanse. Well protected against any pesky protesters who might not be aware that their protest would not last more than 30 seconds. Chairman Moa still oversees the square and his tomb at the entrance to The Forbiden City and gets new makeup annually. Mao always looks good.
The Forbidden City is what the French Kings heard about before they decided to build and expand Versailles, sans Marie Antoinette and Baroque. An outstanding example of love for oneself and of fear of one’s enemies, it makes you want to send Hugh Heffner and Donald Trump money to help them get caught up with several badly needed additions.
The Temple of Heaven was interesting. We saw a line of Chinese people waiting to stand on a stone at the center of a circular alter where Emporers once stood to speak to their subjects about bountiful harvests.
Thursday, 8/21
Destinations: Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The City Planning Museum, Temple of Heaven
Weather: Rain
Eventhough it rained most of the day, it was a great day. Hey, we were in Beijing, not New York City!
They say that Tiananmen Square can accommodate 1M people and that would be right. Huge expanse. Well protected against any pesky protesters who might not be aware that their protest would not last more than 30 seconds. Chairman Moa still oversees the square and his tomb at the entrance to The Forbiden City and gets new makeup annually. Mao always looks good.
The Forbidden City is what the French Kings heard about before they decided to build and expand Versailles, sans Marie Antoinette and Baroque. An outstanding example of love for oneself and of fear of one’s enemies, it makes you want to send Hugh Heffner and Donald Trump money to help them get caught up with several badly needed additions.
The Temple of Heaven was interesting. We saw a line of Chinese people waiting to stand on a stone at the center of a circular alter where Emporers once stood to speak to their subjects about bountiful harvests.
Friday, 8/22
Destinations: Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass, Ming Tombs
Weather: Sunny
The sun shone through Beijing’s sky when we awoke. As we drove out of the city toward Juyongguan Pass, the surrounding air appeared cleaner and the mountains became clearly visible. An Olympic Cycling road race had ended there a few days before. Steep and massive, the Egytians and their pyraminds built on sand flats aint got nothin’ on the Ming.
Speaking of a stop by the local mortuary to plan your last farewell, the Ming knew how and where to party.
Saturday, 8/23
Destinations: Olympic Grounds, Summer Palace
Weather: Sunny
Watching Michael Phelps win 8 Gold Medals at the Water Cube. Attending the Olympic Men’s Soccer Final at the Bird’s Nest to see Nigeria and Argentina contest the final. Being among thousands of crazy foreigners crawling all over each other for official 2008 Beijing Olympics paraphanlia at the officially-licensed product store in the Olympic Park -- Priceless. And they don’t take American Express. Yup, got to the register after wrestling with people of 180+ nationalities and learned that the Visa boys signed a deal that makes you pull every card from your wallet while asking yourself if this is one of those places you really want to be. Luckily, the last one in my wallet -- my ATM card -- is managed by Visa.
The Summer Palace rules, dude! One of the most picturesque parks in the world, bar none.
Destinations: Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass, Ming Tombs
Weather: Sunny
The sun shone through Beijing’s sky when we awoke. As we drove out of the city toward Juyongguan Pass, the surrounding air appeared cleaner and the mountains became clearly visible. An Olympic Cycling road race had ended there a few days before. Steep and massive, the Egytians and their pyraminds built on sand flats aint got nothin’ on the Ming.
Speaking of a stop by the local mortuary to plan your last farewell, the Ming knew how and where to party.
Saturday, 8/23
Destinations: Olympic Grounds, Summer Palace
Weather: Sunny
Watching Michael Phelps win 8 Gold Medals at the Water Cube. Attending the Olympic Men’s Soccer Final at the Bird’s Nest to see Nigeria and Argentina contest the final. Being among thousands of crazy foreigners crawling all over each other for official 2008 Beijing Olympics paraphanlia at the officially-licensed product store in the Olympic Park -- Priceless. And they don’t take American Express. Yup, got to the register after wrestling with people of 180+ nationalities and learned that the Visa boys signed a deal that makes you pull every card from your wallet while asking yourself if this is one of those places you really want to be. Luckily, the last one in my wallet -- my ATM card -- is managed by Visa.
The Summer Palace rules, dude! One of the most picturesque parks in the world, bar none.
We’ve certainly been very lucky to make the most of our first few days in China and in the world’s most populous and sprawling metropolis.
Now it’s time to get serious. It’s 9PM in Beijing -- 27 hours to“Gotcha Day”. Willow will be joining us shortly. The next entry you see will be from Michele telling you all about that.
We’re both very excited, and can’t wait to meet her and to introduce her to you…
Now it’s time to get serious. It’s 9PM in Beijing -- 27 hours to“Gotcha Day”. Willow will be joining us shortly. The next entry you see will be from Michele telling you all about that.
We’re both very excited, and can’t wait to meet her and to introduce her to you…
3 comments:
Great report Rick! Nice pictures.
Can't wait to see Willow. ;)
I DIDN’T KNOW THAT YOUR TOUR GUIDE WAS GOING TO WRITE THE TEXT FOR YOUR “WAITING ON WILLOW” BLOG. THIS WAS AN OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION. PLEASE KEEP HIS NAME FOR ME TO CONTACT SO HE COULD DO THE SAME FOR ME WHEN I TRAVEL TO BEIJING.
IT'S MONDAY MORNING AND YOUR PROBABLY ON YOUR WAY TO PICK WILLOW UP. PLEASE GIVE HER A HUG AND SMOOTCH FOR ME.
Makes me miss China! Just passin' through and saw you were close to gotcha day...good luck!
Kay
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