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Published: March 4th 2007
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Panda on a wet day
Thinking on a wet day Well, Saturday started very gloomy and drizzly and continued throughout the day. It wasn't too cold though. We thought the damp weather would dampen the plans of the tour guide, but no, she felt inspired to show us even more. We first went to the zoo to see the Pandas who seem to like dampness. They have 8 or 9 and there were four that were pretty active. The funniest time was when a feeder brought one of them some carrots and he just leaned back like in a lounging chair and happily nibbled away on them.
Then, whoosh, we were off to the Summer Palace which was so unbelievable in its grandeur and just plain bigness that it boggles the mind. They have a covered walkway that is over 700m long which is about 1/2 mile long. This was for the ladies to walk under beside the lake (that was dug out so they make a mountain for the view) and not get any sun or rain on them. The whole way the ceiling was painted with different stories and legends that they could teach their children as they were walking. It was a terribly cruel empress that had it
Summer Palace Temple Tower
We only looked at this & didn't climb up last rebuilt in 1903 and one of her nephews was the last emperor (hence the movie). We voted not to go up a multitude of steps to her temple where she prayed twice a month. Mostly, to hope she could hide all the evil things she was doing.
After a couple of hours there, we went to see where they are building the Olympic Village. It was too closed off and too rainy to get any good pictures, but it was very impressive to see the arena that's being worked on now. They have signs and shops and everything getting ready for the Olympics in 2008.
Then, we went to a barber. It was not an auspicious day for young men to cut their hair because it would cause bad luck for their uncles, but, since Jim has no uncles left and did not have time to get a haircut before we left, it was okay for him. It cost $2.50 US and they shampooed what hair he has, cut it and then, rinsed again to get all the cut hair away. The young helpers kept plying me with hot water to drink since they didn't want me to get
At the Barber Shop
The Barber looked like he was a Rock Star at night. cold from the weather. Good Experience.
Thank goodness, the hotel gives us a good breakfast since we don't have time to ever fit in lunch. We don't seem to get hungry though and we buy bottled water at the different places we visit.
By then, it was 4:30 in the afternoon and Qing, the guide got us front row seats for the Chinese Acrobatic Show which started at 5:15. It was so nice to be inside and out of the drizzle. We were the only western people on the front row and a little lady next to Jim decided to help us a bit. I had taken off my jacket and she somehow made it very clear that she would not be happy until I put it on again. Then, she didn't think we'd make it up the aisle to meet Qing and kept waving for us to follow her all the way out. She was pretty cute and quite assertive.
8:00 back to the hotel and made ourselves eat even though we were so tired. Had Peking Duck and it was wonderful tasting, but our American training kept telling us it may have been a little too fatty to
At The Acrobatics
This whole show was very good be good for us. It absolutely melted in your mouth. Then finally the day was over.
Today, Sunday has really fallen apart. Cold, snow and high winds. So, we may go shopping for a couple of hours and then call it a day. I'm quite pleased that there might be a nap in there somewhere along the way.
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