Beginning our trip to China

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Finally, I have gotten everything together to start our blog. We arrived safely, but I thought I had brought the wrong transformer. I hadn't, they have just changed their electical outlets to take two-pronged or three-pronged. This is one of the joys of having a personal guide. They can tell you about these things. We are staying at a great hotel very close to The Forbidden City, Tianemen Square and other places. Yesterday, we met our guide, Qing Ye, at 9:30 am and she stayed with us and ran us all over until 8:30pm. Her rate is $37.00 US a day. Not much of an hourly rate compared to home. So, today was the last day for the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall to be opened before thay start restoration on it for The 2008 Olympics. They are all very excited about the Olympics and a lot of the historical sites are being restored. We will not be able to see the History Museum since it is closed until September. We are so naive that we didn't know that we would actually viewing Mao's body, but there it was under glass and looking not quite real. It was very interesting to see how the people revered him as they laid flowers in the entry hall at the feet of a very large statue of him. Our guide said that he had declared himself a God, but most young people thought he was only a man. Pretty interesting.
Then, we had to go shopping as I thought I needed a transformer, so we rode the subway to the Silk Street market. What a jumble! You barter for everything. You start your price at 10% of their asking price and then work away until you buy it for about 20% of the first price. Quite amazing.
We then went to the electronic shops and bought a new camera which is wonderful. I'll be trying pictures on it today.
Just wanted to say hello and tell those who didn't know that we are in China and Chrissy is having the time of her life in Arizona. E-mail her and see how much fun one person can have. Will send more later.
Shirley

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Photos

Jim at business parking lot
These parking lots are on almost every block

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall
Pretty crowded for last day

Our tour guide and her boyfriend
He is too shy to try much English with us.

The second gate that used to protect The Forbidden City
Now this section is Tianemen Square before you get to the buildings of the Forbidden City.

Jim & I at our guide's house
I'll send more on her house later.

Comments

[Amy Skar]

WOW! How wonderful of you guys! I am excited to hear from your next blog and interested to hear about your observations! Do me a favor... find how many "Chins" are listed in the phone book for me?? (thats a good one for Jim!" : )