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Published: June 17th 2009
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Days 3 and 4:
On day 3, we had to pack up and leave our new home away from home (FX YanSha) and head to the hotel for our GAP adventure tour. We were sorely disappointed that our new, more expensive hotel did not have free bottled water, nor free breakfast, and only twin beds 😞 On the up side, it did have a safe so we weren't stuck carrying everything we owned. We explored the area around our hotel and discovered the most insane grocery store with a small army of sample ladies (who needs to buy lunch??). After buying a bunch of different fruits we had never seen, we headed to the Ming Walls Park. The Ming Walls Park is a portion of the original Beijing city walls that now has fantastic gardens surrounding it. A nice peaceful Sunday.
Later in the evening, we met our GAP group. We are officially the 'old' people, which is highly unusual for this tour company. We're also the only Americans, but everyone has been nice thus far. Plus, we basically just have to ride in cars with them and are free to do our own thing at all times. The
group leader took us to a local restaurant to try typical Chinese food. Everything was delicious (especially the flamingly spicy pan fried green beans!).
On Day 4, we headed to Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City with a local guide. I'm not going to write anything about Tianamen as it will likely cause this not to get posted (we experienced our first censored newcast today....CNN was talking about the Iran riots and comparing them to T Square....suddenly everything goes black.....then CNN tells us that it was censored in mainland China). Anywho, we saw the giant parade wall with Mao's portrait and many, many police officers. Pictures to follow shortly.
After ducking under the bridge, we arrived in the Forbidden City. The ancient Chinese believed this was the city of the Universe so there was a line of pavers called the Meridian line that showed the exact center line of Beijing. It was, of course, the path for the Emperor. The Forbidden City was impressively large with a different hall for every daily activity imaginable (this hall is for changing clothes, etc.). Many were only for the royal family and the Emperor's collection of concubines. Once we get pics
posted, you'll see the large number of ornate thrones, bronze statues, and impressive Chinese garden (the rocks and trees truly have to be seen to understand their otherworldly qualities).
As the temperature was just short of 1000 degrees, we chowed down on popsicles for lunch before strolling home through Old Beijing and the Former Foreign Legations. Luckily, in our wandering home, we stumbled upon Wangfujing Street which is kind of like Time's Square if Time's Square had a side street selling every animal imaginable on a stick! Pat took some great pics of scorpions and seahorses that appeared to be dried, until the stall owner touched them and made them all spring to life (yummy!). We passed on scorpions and seahorses and decided to have a few beers in one of the beer gardens on the shopping street. We intended to people watch, but it was mostly the other way around. Kind of unnerving to have people staring at you while you are drinking your beer, but we're starting to get used to it. Pat got to be in a great pic with a two year old who has learned to high five now thanks to Pat.
After
the beer garden, we wandered back through snack street and had some Shish Taook (Middle Eastern chicken in a pita), some molten lava Octopus balls, and finally settled on some amazing noodle dishes. We were also 'treated' to some Chinese opera during our outdoor meal. Costumes great, singing.....not so good. Maybe it was the PA, but mostly sounds like screeching.
Ok, times up again.....stay tuned for pictures, our trip to the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven. We leave tonight for our overnight train to Shanghai! Should be quite the trip. Hope you are all doing well and thanks for sticking with us despite our lack of visual aids!
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Carolyn
non-member comment
Hi from Florida
Hi Sarah and Patrick. I can't wait to see the photos!! Glad to hear you both are the hits over there. So sweet the two year old learning the high five!! Love reading your blog! Await update. Take care. love, Aunt Carolyn