October 14, 2011 - Day 1 Beijing

We awoke on time, showered, had a western breakfast and then met Mr. Stone.  He was right on time.  The adventure was beginning...we were finally in China!  We ha waited such a long time to land on the 7th continent!

As we raced into downtown Beijing, Mr. Stone began to tell us about Beijing and China.  His English is excellent and he is a very nice man.  We liked him immediately.Soon we arrived at Tienanmen  Square.  As we walked, he talked.  It soon became obvious that we intended go take pictures of everything!  We were totally blown away that we seemed to be the only American tourists in the square!  It was filled with mostly Chinese tourists from other parts of China.




National Day in China had been earlier in the month and the square was still decorated in flowers from the event. We then crossed under the street through a tunnel and paraded in front of fountains and Chairman Mao.  His picture had been recently replaced and was looking fine.  We could have stood  in line to see his body, but elected to skip that part.  The Chinese were flocking at the chance; especially the older people.

From there we headed into the Forbidden City.  WOW!  I don't think Mr. Stone had ever seen any two people take quite so many pictures.  John LOVED the dragons and proceeded to shoot every last one of them...at least we think he did!  Mr. Stone told us stories of the Forbidden City and the emperors who lived there.  The dragon represents the emperor.   The phoenix represents the empress.  In the pecking order, the emperor comes first, then the dragon, then the empress, then the phoenix, then the clouds and then the earth.  The paintings and stone carvings all showed this in detail.  The Chinese  meticulously take care of the Forbidden City and each year they re-paint sections so that it looks like it did in the time.

All the emperors, their wives and concubines,and eunuchs lived in the forbidden city. Commoners were not allowed.

After the Forbidden City, it was time for our first meal.  Cheri ordered a lamb cumin and John ordered a shrimp dish.  Cheri's came first and it was delicious.  John nibbled and waited.  When his came, we both looked at it and decided that it wasn't going to be eaten....it was small shrimp in shell....no way to eat it with out taking off the shells and they were too small to shell.  Oh well.  There was enough for two with Cheri's meal and the rice!

Then it was on to Temple Heaven.  The clouds had moved in by then, so we wandered through and shot some images, but were getting tired by then.  The best part of Temple Heaven was seeing the retired people.  Women retire at 55 and men at 60.  After that it is common for them to hang out with their friends playing cards, mahjong or Chinese Chess.  One old gent was playing a traditional wood wind instrument.  We loved that part!

We headed to our hotel.  It was a Marriott and boy were the beds good!  We decided to walk out and find a place to eat.  As we left the hotel it began to rain, so we decided on the place right across the street. It wasn't fancy, but they spoke English, the menu had pictures, and the price was right!  Cheri thought poor John was going to starve as he was learning to eat rice with his chop sticks, one piece at a time!  Some how he managed!  We were both bushed and hit the hay as soon as we got back!