Forbidden City

  Beijing, China
Thursday, July 24, 2008

Today was our first full day in Beijing, which we spent at Tienamen Square and the Forbidden City. I got my picture taken with Mao (the poster of course). The square was bursting with tourists, security gaurds, and last minute construction efforts in preparation for the Olympics. I am sure you have heard this on the news, but Beijing has really gone all out in its efforts to clean up the city before the big day. They have successfully improved the air quality by 50% by closing factories, reducing cars on the road and other provisions. The government actually passed a law that saws only license plates with even number plates can drive on even numbered dates and the same for odd numbers. This is how they have cut the cars on the road in half. This is also the first time in China that I have seen a lot of recycling bins around (although in Chongqing we saw cans specifically marked "unrecycling" - got to love very PC trashcans).
But back to the touristy stuff. We spent the better part of a day walking around the many palaces of the Forbidden City. Beautifull places, as you would expect for royal families. Some of the artwork was especially impressive. I think my favorite place was the Garden of Scarlet Snow because it was less crowded and more relaxing. And get this - the emperor was a rockclimber! They actually had a rock where he and the emperess would climb once a year to enjoy the view.
When we got back, I went out to get some things while Rachel stayed in the room. There is a major street close to us where I ducked into a couple of H&Mesque stores. I find that I have difficulty shopping here, because it is common for sales people to follow you around the store as soon as you enter. In America that means that they think you will steal something. When it happened here, that was my first thought, but I think it is to sell you things or to be welcoming to customers (or maybe both), but still my automatic response is to leave. I have gotten used to it a little, but I still can't stay in stores for very long. I find it too awkward. That is a great way save money I suppose.

A couple of our friends from the institute got off of work at six tonight and had time to meet us for dinner. We headed downtown to meet them at six and were proud that we successfully navigated the subway system on our way. Wendy said that she wanted to take us to the place with the best traditional Beijing food in town, and I think she knew what she was talking about. It was great. They actually had one item, in which the translation was "Delicious rolls". Aptly named.

Best Food in Town

They came back to the hostel with us and liked the traditional courtyard (they told us the Chinese name, but I could not begin to spell it here). Angela was very excited when she walked in, saying that she had never actually seen one of those before. See the picture here.

Courtyard at Hostel

We chatted for a little, but they had to be at work early in the morning and we are heading out for the Great Wall bright and early. I am so excited! So we walked them out. It was great to meet up with them agian.