Feb 22 2008

Trip Start Feb 16, 2008

112

Trip End ??? ??, 2009

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Flag of China Beijing, China
Sunday, February 24, 2008

So today we needed to get some laundry done, so we sorted it and brought it to the reception. It ended up costing 20 CNY each for two loads, which is less than $5. We thought about going to the Summer Palace, so we inquired at the desk and it turned out to be an hour taxi ride or so. So we decided to skip it, that's just too long of a taxi ride! So we made our way to a bank on one of the main roads, then flagged down a taxi to head to the Lama Temple. Jesse got yelled at when he entered the taxi on the backseat drivers side, I guess the driver was a bit worried about his door. After a short ride we arrived at the temple and paid our 25 CNY to get in. This temple was the residence of a prince prior to him becoming the Emperor (I think his name was Yaung) and was turned into a temple after his rein. It was very interesting and well... interesting to see the amount of gods that were worshiped here. Again some beautiful architecture and paintings. To see the 18 metre sandalwood Buddha, which was carved out of one piece of wood and that actually made it into the Guinness Records, was very cool

Tower at Lama Temple.

! We weren't suppose to take photos but I was able to sneak a couple very discreetly (and it was surprising how many people were blatantly defying that). I was able to take a photo of a sort-of wishing well, which you were not supposed to throw coins in, but pretty much everyone was, it was kinda funny. After walking around the temple we decided to walk back to our hutong area, since it didn't end up being too far. Jesse went out on a limb to try the meat on a stick (which turned out to be pork, I think..) that vendors sell throughout the city, I couldn't convince him to try the frog bodies on a stick... I realize that we have been pretty sheltered when it comes to experiencing Beijing, but I love this area!! We went for a beer at a new bar on our street, the Hutong Bar, which we got free rice snacks at! After we went back to pickup our laundry and pay for our room. They tried to over charge us by 20 CNY for our laundry, but we didn't let it slide. I definitely need to develop my bargaining and take-no-crap skills!! We decided to go back to the Indian restaurant we went to the other day since it was soo good and we didn't know if we would get that again. This time we got extra rice for the super hot vindaloo chicken and we tried another dish of lamb meat balls, which we cut into only to realize they were bright pink (and I mean bright!). I knew that it had to be a spice or something, there was no way lamb would be that pink, even if it was raw! We asked the owner, who was serving us and he explained that it was in fact a curry powder that made them that color. It was all very yummy yet again!! After dinner we headed back to the Hutong Bar for another cheap Tsingtao, where we pigged out on rice snacks (well I did anyways) and chilled out. Tomorrow is our last day in Beijing and its kinda sad since I like this area so much! But I know that we have more new and exciting things to experience and this is only the beginning. So tomorrow I think we're going to take it easy again, sort ourselves out and maybeeee check out the silk market (I now have an addiction to scarves...), then we have the exciting task of finding our train! Should be fun J Chao for now!!

Zoe

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Happy Buddha.	The sign says "do not throw coins or incense"	A gold buddha.	The sandalwood budda made it into Guinness.
18 Metre sandalwood Buddha	Sandalwood Buddha	It was carved from a single tree.	Lotus throne
Script pillar.	Script pillar.	Big bell and Jes.	More cool script
Main gate to temple.	Me and map of Lama Temple.