Monday we spent doing several tours of Beijing. First we went to Tienanmen Square. That is where we are in the first picture. I don't know if you can tell how smoggy/smokey it is in the picture...but let me tell you the air quality is really terrible. I guess the Outer Mongolians are burning their fields and the winds bring it here. Kind of like the Tri-Cities in August when the wheat farmers burn.
Anyway, the second picture is of Robert with rocks! Don't you just love it? He found some cool rocks in the Forbidden City garden and wanted a picture. Our guide laughs at Robert's love for geology. The Forbidden City is massive with 9 inner gates to get in to where the emperor used to reside. It is also very mathematical there as the emperor believed 9 to be a lucky number, so all bricks, steps, roof decorations with dragons and lions, chambers and gates all have 9 or multiples of 9. No superstitions here :)
The last picture is of Robert and I in a rickshaw. Our little driver was only about 5'3', but he was able to power us through the streets quite well as we visited the Hu Tong villages. They are villages from "ancient times" where people still live today. It is rather like communal living where there is one bathroom for 20 families and central courtyard areas where people cook and make their wares. The places they live are about the size of a one car garage to about an 8x8 room. Many of these village are in disrepair. Our guide told us that before the Olympics they will be tearing many of the Hu Tong villages down so they can be replaced with high rise apartments.
2 comments:
It's great to see that you've made it there! Love hearing about your trip and seeing the pics!!
So good to see you in China! Can't wait to see Esther in your arms!
hugs
Cheri and family
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