Yesterday we moved at a more relaxed pace. The day was grey, misty and there was a light rain. One never sees blue sky in Beijing. The sky is either white or gray. You don't see the clear outline of the sun. I think we take our air and water quality in the US for granted. You don't appreciate how much our air and water quality have improved in the US (thanks to people like Dave), until you spend time in a place that hasn't made the same improvements. I miss blue sky.
We visited Tianneman Square and the Forbidden City yesterday morning. The are spiffing up the Square in anticipation of the Olympics, one toothbrush at a time.
The Forbidden City is beautiful, atmospheric and full of elegant sightlines. A testament to the wisdom of feng shui. It covers a very large area, and yet inside it feels very human scale. Maybe it felt bigger to the Ming Emperor who built it.
We had another great chinese meal: eggplant, etc., after which we visited the Summer Palace. It was packed with Beijingers enjoying a Saturday afternoon, and there were LOTS of people all trying to squeeze through the small doorways and courtyards of the home built by the notorious Dowager Empress, who ruled just before the reign of the Last Emperor, and not wisely.
After a short stop at the "Olympic site" which was a literally an exit ramp with a view of the main Olympic stadium (the bird's nest), the swimming venue (a blue cube) and the dragon-shaped hotel, restaurant, condominium complex, we went to a state-run tea house. We were treated to a tasting of five teas, taught how to make it. After a day of running around, it was really nice to relax for a change. We'll bring home some black/lychee tea, which was our favorite.
We finished the day, exhausted, at a local restaurant. We had peking duck and several other dishes. We'll try to talk more about that later, but we have to run now. We're off to the Great Wall.
Please use the comments and let us know that you're reading!
5 comments:
David and Kristin,
Talk about finally reading as you near the end of an amazing saga, but here I am. I am so glad to know you are fine and exhausted in Beijing and will tell Russ. Now I'll keep reading down your blog, at last. We are cheering for you!
Mary H.
Have been reading your blog daily. I keep forgetting my password so I can post a comment. Hope this works.
Know you are in our thoughts and prayers as your big day approaches.
Elaine Flynn
Ooooh,
I'm so excited.
And following your last few days of waiting with bated breath
: )
Hi Dave & Kristen!
It is so great to read about your adventures in Beijing and your journey to Jenny. It's neat to feel the closeness after just being there and experiencing some of the same things you are and yet different experiences too.
Life at home is wonderful. Tori is an absolute delight and seems to have transitioned beautifully after those first few very trying days. Just keep that in mind. Don't worry about what you think should be happening, just take all your cues from Jenny. You will know exactly what to do.
We never did cross in airspace as we got delayed in Guangzhou for two hours and missed our flight to Honolulu. JAL put us up for the night in Nagoya and we had to hang out at the airport the next day for 9 hours.Finally got on the next flight home and Tori slept the entire way. What a blessing. We wished we had your luck with business class. But when we got home, Jolon's contacts in Customs and Immigration paid off. The chief officer met us at the door of immigration and expedited us through both immigration and customs. Talk about service. We were out of there in a half hour.
I can't wait to hear about everything in Guangzhou. It was pretty warm there when we left. You will see blue sky there. I so wish we could have met up with you there. It would have been great. Looking forward to reading everything.
Giant hugs & love,
Of course we are reading daily. Your blog is the first thing we check every morning. I love that you are letting us know what you are up to. We feel like we are there with you.
Joe, Jeanne, Jack and Abby
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