Beijing Hotels
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Bus tour...
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I took a bus tour, booked through the hotel, with eight other English-speaking people, plus our Chinese guide "Mike." There were three Canadians, three Australians, and a couple from the UK, and me. We traveled about an hour outside Beijing to Huai Zou to visit a jade factory and see the Ming Dynasty tombs.
There wasn't too much to see on the ride, and Mike gave us a history lesson about the Ming dynasty that was very interesting. He talked also about taxes in China, whether people liked Mao or not, historical homes that are being preserved as China continues to modernize Beijing. It was interesting to hear his perspective. Of course I also need to remember he works for a government sponsored tour agency, so he may not be able to be completely honest, but it seemed like he wasn't completely spouting propaganda.
The Ming tombs were more interesting in terms of the people and view than most of the buildings present. Although the one original building there has posts made of trees that were estimated to be about 1000 years old when they were cut down in the 15th century to build it. Wow. I couldn't fit my arms around them. Mike warned us the little old ladies had sharp elbows and to watch out - really it was mostly just surprising how aggressive the tourists were. I suppose this is probably true in places in the US, but people were determined to see what they came for and they weren't going to let niceties stand in the way of that. It was like that at the Forbidden City too, but the comment made me think about it more. In the gardens the day before, people were climbing all over "keep out" areas to pose for pictures and it seemed to be expected.
After that we had lunch family style, all nine of us. It was nice to get to know my travel companions for the day, and lunch was pretty good. I liked the dumplings and the beer, but not the fish head. :)
This stop also had a cloisonne factory, where I was of course in heaven, and beautiful silks. I wish I could have seen where they apply the color to the vessels once the wires are applied, but I can understand why that area wouldn't be public. It's a delicate process. Oh, and I'm such a sucker, I couldn't keep myself from getting a bag. It's pretty pretty though, if you ask me. :)
Then we headed off to the great wall. It was so exciting to catch the first glimpses of it from the bus. We passed by areas that were mostly in ruins, and also largely went straight up and down the side of the mountains. Breathtaking. And there were plum trees in bloom everywhere too, although I didn't get any good shots of them. And since we had all gotten to know each other a bit at lunch,
the climbing time was a little bit more of a communal experience. About half of us went each direction, and Margaret, Tom, Nick and Anna all helped me out taking pictures of me on the wall. And of course I reciprocated. And because we were engaging each other we were less vulnerable to the vendors on the flatter parts of the wall. Did I mention it is really steep? The further along we went, the steeper the steep parts got and I kept having to take breaks to catch my breath. And I chatted with a couple from California on one of these rests, as they happened to be resting in the same spot as me. As tired as I got I kept pushing for as long as I could, and I was sweaty but I was still smiling in the sunshine (I got burned of course) and the cool breeze.
Definitely lots of pinch me moments this day.
When we met back up at a cafe as a group some of us got ice cream bars, which tasted so good. And we all looked at our little souvenir books with the group picture we took upon first arriving at the wall. For seven bucks equivalent, why not? One of those things you never know if you'll be able to do again. On the way back I got all my companions to sign the inside of my memento photo book, and we drowsed and chatted. We also passed a bizarre prison that was halfway finished being given a Disney-like castle facade.
Our guide told us the project was abandoned, but now no one wants to foot the bill to demolish it so it just sits there looking weird. Wish I had got a shot of that. As we approached the hotels we drove by the Olympic Bird's Nest and Cube stadiums. I only got one good picture, but they were still neat to see. If I go back in the fall I'd like to venture over to the Olympic village.
Then I needed to rest my weary legs. The pool is in the basement, but it looks almost like you are outside at dusk. There are palm trees, a fountain, a waterfall, star lights in the ceiling, and subtle bird sounds coming from speakers. I know this has nothing to do with China's fabulous culture, but it felt good. I visited each of the three jacuzzis and let my shins and calves have some time with the jets. In between I also floated back and forth the length of the pool, and there was only one other person there so it felt like my own private paradise. This was followed by a shower and then primping time in the vanity area before heading up to dinner in one of the hotel's many restaurants. Good eats. Noticed a sore throat with a scratchy voice tonight, which will make traveling kind of stink tomorrow. Oh well, make the most of it while I'm here. And then more crashing.
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