Our third hotel is in downtown Beijing, within walking distance of the famous shopping street, Wangfujing. We're also near the Forbidden City and Tian'en Men Square, although I prefer to take the subway. The subway system here is excellent -- seriously. Most of it is new, and they're still working on a few lines. The first line installed runs past the Forbidden City and links up to Wangfujing. I'm delighted that we have a subway station within 1/2 block -- Dengskikou. It's on the newest line (#5) and runs north to the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. The only problem with [View Full Entry]

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MING TOMBS Today is my last day in Nanjing, and I’ve decided to return to Purple Mountain. My feet still hurt from all the walking I did yesterday, so I’m going to try to take it easy — no small feat when you consider how spread out attractions are on Purple Mountain. I spend the morning writing, eat leftovers and noodles for lunch, then strike out. My first action is to catch a cab. I point out the Ming Tombs in my guidebook to him and off we go. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the tombs, and costs 20 [View Full Entry]

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Purple Mountain rises on the northeast side of Nanjing, offering shade and sights for locals and tourists. The mountain stretches far and is impossible to explore fully in one day. Sights range from the mausoleum of Sun Yet Sen, the "Father of Modern China"; to the Beamless Hall, built in 1391 without using any wood in its construction; to the Ming Tombs and the impressive sacred way, an avenue of stone statutes; to the observatory; to a music stage; to a kayak and canoe slalom; to a one-hour-long cable car ride from top to bottom. In August, the place was busy [View Full Entry]

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A LITTLE BIT OF PEACE Today I found the first place in Nanjing that I’ve really, really liked. Xuanwu Lake. It’s on the edge of town, nudging up against the Purple Mountain. It’s full of trees, flowers, walkers and boats. It’s peaceful. I’ve been seeking out quiet here in China, and find very little of it. One park in Shanghai, and now this one in Nanjing. To get to the park, I discover the Nanjing subway system. Currently there is only one line. It pretty much runs from the Olympic Center to downtown (where our hotel is) and skirts the edge [View Full Entry]

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QUESTIONS FROM AUNTIE CINDY Q: Are you the tallest person there? A: Often, yes, I am. Although the younger crowd seems to be taller than their parents. At the restaurant last night I spied a Chinese teenage boy who had to be over 6 feet. Wow. My light skin and blond hair seem to be what’s attracting attention the most tho. Q: Did you bring high-heeled shoes with you? A: No, I just brought my comfortable pair of walking shoes. But I often wish I had heels to avoid the puddles in the street - you just don’t know what the [View Full Entry]

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TODAY WE RELAX Jesse has decreed that today we will relax. He’s been working nearly around the clock and wants to lay around. That means I can’t drag him to any sights. I could use the rest, too. In fact, that’s what I was hoping for out of this vacation as I haven’t been able to eek out any relaxation from this summer. It’s been a busy time, and I’m tired. We watch the Olympics. I try to get caught up on my daily blogs. I start getting ready for the next school year, begin writing quizzes, try to figure out [View Full Entry]

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SUNNY TODAY Ah, today we finally get to feel the sun on our skin. It feels so good. I’m rather upset that I’ve lost nearly all my tan over here. I’m looking pretty white. What a difference compared to when I was in Belize! While I mourn the lack of sun, when the sun finally comes out the Chinese women do everything they can to cover themselves up. They sell little shirts they can pull over their arms while on their mopeds. And they wear hats or carry umbrellas to keep the sun off their skin.To be as white as possible [View Full Entry]

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Travel with me to Shanghai, China. Listen to a traditional flute in the bazaar. Walk across the zig-zag bridge to the famous Huxington teahouse. Sit awhile and relax in the Yu Gardens. Stroll down The Bund River Promenade. Then take a wild taxi ride through crowded streets. This is the far east. [View Full Entry]

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EUROPEAN CITY IN CHINA It's time to leave Shanghai, this wild city of lights and excitement. Perhaps what I've noticed most about Shanghai is that I don't stand out as much. There are many, many nationalities in Shanghai. What's another white woman? It's nice to blend in again. Shanghai has seemed to drop many of the communist trappings Nanjing bends under. Buildings are newer and nicer. They lack the rundown look ever present in Nanjing. I am reminded of what Prague looked like 10 years ago shortly after getting out from under communist rule. There was such an air of neglect [View Full Entry]

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IT SURE IS HOT HERE I wake up excited to see the best of Shanghai. As we leave tomorrow and head back to Nanjing, it’s my last day here. I feel like I wasted Wednesday. Today I decide to take it easy, drink lots of water, stop when I’m hungry, and most of all, take a taxi instead of walking everywhere. My body just isn’t used to this extreme heat and humidity, and there’s no sense in pushing it so hard. It’s so hot here that when you’re just standing you sweat - it pours down your face. The only other [View Full Entry]

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