Beijing Hotels
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Saturday morning in Beijing
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Last night was the first time I've slept for a 4+ hour stretch and I actually feel worse:) However, we are up at 6 and ready to go!! Today it's the Temple of Heave and Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City. Yesterday was a fabulous time at Beijing Shunyi No. 8 Middle School campus. It was a very friendly staff (17 administrative personnel) who welcomed us, toured us, and gave presentation. We started with students doing morning exercises (all 1048 of them) on their track...they had a beautiful outdoor track and field. The center was beautiful because they do not play nor really "know" football here. They do play some soccer but mostly basketball. Students were in rows following a student leader with adults at ends of rows. We took pictures and when they finished and moved into the building we were greeted with many, "Hellos, Nice to meet yous....and tons of smiles and waves." We visited several classrooms, two with students working....one on their Chinese writing and another in Civilization class where they stopped to do singing exercises to make them alert and ready for their next lesson. The singing was really quite good...have some pictures:)
We also visited a quiet computer lab and an empty physics lab. After an hour presentation on "Physical and Mental Health of Students and School Reform," including Power Point, we shared question and answer. Principal Wang Changcun was very pleasant and very proud of their neighborhood school. We received Olympic pins and washcloths and moved to a room for lunch. We had our best meal ever, I felt, as we had some more familiar tasting dishes including baked fish, coconut shrimp, sweet potatoes, and apple juice...23 dishes in total.
From the school, we rode to the Great Wall....it was totally amazing!! I especially enjoyed traveling the hour through the countryside. This is a country of such great contrasts....hutongs (the old neighborhoods....see pictures) alongside modern service stations....people in 1940's looking pull carts travelling next to a little Honda...bikes that look 1050's next to sleek black cars...is mind-boggling. The Wall itself was spectacular, once you made your way past the "Hello People" and all their wares...."Climbed the Wall shirts...3 for just one dollar" and the ancient soldier and lady with a camel who wanted $ for a picture....funny! We rode the cable car up so we had time to walk about and it was an experience of my lifetime. Afterward, we stopped at The Schoolhouse compound which is where some philanthropic folks are modernizing a hutong community. They are using hutongs as the basis and building gorgeous homes around them....simple, but totally quality! Sooo, these folks will live along side the old gentleman wearing his Mao and the family who manages a stand at the base of the Wall. They also are establishing a glass blowing shop and several restaurants. The biggest, actually, was their public restroom....finally, luxurious accommodations (will explain when I get home:). Now, will try to add some pictures...this section is all in Chinese..so not sure what will happen.
Latest Comments (8)
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Good Morning! (reply)
Apr 24, 2008 12:18 EST by judydiane48
Another gorgeous day in KS. Thinking of you today and always. Talked to Dennis and Grandma Judy. All are good. One 'ole' guy missing his woman!!!!! JUDY
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Hello again to China (reply)
Apr 22, 2008 12:23 EST by judydiane48
Know you must be busy and maybe no internet, but I am here and you are in my thoughts and prayers daily! LOVE YOU---LITTLE SIS
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Are you there? (reply)
Apr 21, 2008 09:09 EST by judydiane48
Haven't seen anything written on TravelPod lately. Hope all is ok. Lindsey emailed that she got her package from me (The $66 one) and it was better than Christmas!!! HA They had eaten all the Twizzlers in 2 hours, oatmeal was 'yummmy', popcorn 'buttery', etc. She sounded so excited! Let me know how it's going. LOVE SIS
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Happy Sunday!!! (reply)
Apr 20, 2008 21:38 EST by judydiane48
I went to church this am and then to Wal Mart for some flowers to plant. So glad things are going well. Say hello to all!
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This is china (reply)
Apr 19, 2008 01:44 EST by bakedrew
Ni hao! kind of a motto,never again will you ever be in a place that is this different. Just remember not to try to reason through all of their silly logic! Be careful on the streets, no one pays attention when they drive, scoot or bike. I hope you get to have Beijing duck while you are there, its super yummy!! Glad you made it safetly, Now drew and I will have someone that understands the crazine... show all
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glad you made it:) (reply)
Apr 18, 2008 22:51 EST by kelcey
So glad you made it there!! I talked to Lindsey a while ago and she said she had talked with you! Sounds like you are really having a neat experience! Thanks for keeping travel blog! We'll check back often to see how you are doing!
Love,
Kelcey & family
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Great wall (reply)
Apr 18, 2008 22:08 EST by gmetteta
This is soooo incredible, to hear that you actually walked along the Great Wall of China. Think of all the people in all the centuries who have walked the same path! When you compare it to the relatively new structures in the US, it makes you wonder how living with such antiquities changes your view of the world. Do you think it encourages people to take a very long term perspective? Gwynn
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Hello (reply)
Apr 18, 2008 21:56 EST by judydiane48
I am here and it says you are on line. Anyway, it sounds so exciting! I have been thinking today was Friday and maybe I'd call tomorrow.....but oops you won't be available. Wow! did you ever imagine you'd be doing this. It sounds so unimaginable. So wish I could be with you. Your Sis 8:55 pm, Friday night, April 18,2008
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