Final Beijing Trip Comments

After we visited the little store we were dropped off at the Pearl Market. We like the place in Qingdao and really didn't like all of the people pushing themselves on you so we said goodbye to the group who were leaving from there to the airport and we took a cab back to the Hotel. We grabbed a sandwich and then walked down to a bookstore that had an English floor.

We went out that night to a VERY fancy mall that must have every name brand in the book. In the basement there a food lane that must go for blocks. After much winding around we found Sizzler and I had a steak and Mike had ribs. We truly enjoyed ourselves. We have enjoyed many wonderful Chinese meals and had on the trip but it was fun to eat all familiar foods cooked our way.

We got up the next morning, had a nice breakfast, took a casual walk and left for the train station. We rode the bullet train from Beijing to Qingdao and were 8 PM.

My Red Plate

The next morning we got up and went to the Beijing 1st Branch and heard their Primary program. Each of the children gave a scripture or statement in both Chinese and English. There are many members of their Branch that are from Taiwan so they can meet with the Americans.
It was fun to see more children, young couples who are working in China, professional businessmen and families and some other China Teachers.

After Church we went to a little store at a women's aid type place. There is a couple in the branch who are Humanitarian (Volunteers) and she has been working with this group. They try to teach women skills to learn to support themselves. She "hijacked" our bus and saw to it
that we were the first customers for this little business. Thus-- my red plate. I had planned to buy a piece of lacquerware before we came home but since it was to help the needy I decided to do it then. I is carved into wood and then painted and lacquered.

Bejing Roast Duck

That night we had the famous Bejing Roast Duck for dinner. This little lady was dressed to meet us at the door. The roast duck was sliced very thin and the we each had a dish with a sauce and cut up green onions. We were given very thin tortilla-like pieces in which you put duck meat, sauce and the onion and some celery. It was lots of work and very tasty. We know why Chinese people aren't heavy. You have to pick it up with chopsticks, it is mostly vegetables with little bits of meat, there are no desserts- just fresh fruit and little sugar (but lots of oil).

Blanket

As we were leaving the Summer Palace (and everywhere else in Beijing) people kept shoving things into our faces trying to get us to buy. The little lady with this blanked followed me to the back door of our bus. It is all piece work on both sides and is about 5 1/2 feet square. I finally said I would buy it for 80 RMB which is under $12. It has the same kind of stiching and animals as the little ones I bought on our last trip. This was the only place I saw them in Beijing.

Lost Camera

Okay, so I lied. 15' tall maybe? This one is from Mike's camera. At this point I had lost my camera and was sick and heart broken. We went upstairs above this store to eat and when we came back downstairs I thought I would take some pictures of some of the pieces and I could
not find my camera. We took most everything out of my backpack and felt all around. The only thing we left in the bag was the box with the jade ball and we felt around and under it. We went back up to the restaurant to see if it was on the floor or chair but it wasn't. I was sick but we had to go on. Mike had to take all of the rest of the pictures that day.

That night as I unloaded my backpack, including the box with the jade I felt something hard in the bottom of the back of the bag. I looked inside and saw nothing but then saw a flap near the top and when I picked it up I found a pocket that my camera had slipped into. Much gratitude was expressed that night.

Our Purchases

As I said, it was a symbol or status. Some of the pots were over 8' tall. These are our purchases. The owl symbol is 1" and the little egg is 1 1/2" tall. Do not question our status or authority!!!

Cloisonne Enamelware Factory

After the wall we visited the Cloisonne enamelware factory. It originated in Beijing and was originally used only by royal families. It was a symbol of authority and status. First an object is hammered out of copper then copper wires is sculpted into the sesigns that are to be filled. Enamel that has been colored by minerals is dropped into each section then it is glazed and baked and then glazed and baked again and polished.

Furry Little Fellow

I went back down off the mountain while Mike was climbing and looked in the shops. Waiting there to give rides was this furry little fellow.

Jade

On the way to the Great Wall we stopped at the National Jade Factory. There they gave us a demonstration about the types of jade and we were able to see some carving done. We bought our most expensive treasure there (although it was probably about $90. It is a happy family ball
that is about 4" and is four layers deep, all moveable, from one piece of stone. They use tools like a dentist to do the carving.

The Great Wall

The Great Wall was on the schedule for the next morning. You can see by the last picture that we didn't hike the whole way but I did a little and Mike did even more. Do you like his new hat? He has now removed the star and is looking for an American pin to put in place of it.

Summer Palace

We went next to the fabled Summer Palace, resort home of the Dowager empress, CiXi.

Tiantan Area

Next we visited the Tiantan area (the Temple of Heavens) which was a summer get away for the Emporess. Note that the animals are all combinations of animals. The dragon is the male and has a horses head, snake's body and eagle's claws. The Phoenix is the female and is made of three birds- body of the swan, tail of a peacock and head of an ostrich(?). I can't remember and Mike is at class.

Chinese Acrobatic Performance

That night we went to an amazing Chinese acrobatic performance. The costumes were unbelieveable and the stunts even more amazing. We were near the back and weren't supposed to use cameras (although our tour guide told us to go ahead and use them) so my pictures are not the best but they give you some idea. Mike bought the DVD so that you can see the show.

Plant Coverings

As we were walking back to the bus I noticed bamboo frames being built around all of the bushes and then saw the long row of men fastening fabric onto the frames to protect the bushes during winter. The last morning we went out for a walk and sound people covering the bushes
across the street from our hotel. All of those miles of fabric were being hand sewn with rope and heavy threads to cover blocks of bushes.

Olympic Area

Next we went to the Olympic area. The big stadium is called the "Bird's Nest". We asked our travel agent how the Chinese people feel about this huge empty structure while many don't have enought to eat or stay warm in China. He said that they aren't happy about it. When he was asked if they say anything he simply said, "In their Hearts". The big bubble sort or building is where the water events took place.

New Instrument

As we were getting on the bus we were bombarded with sellers. A man was playing a very squeaky version of "Happy Birthday" on this instrument. He kept telling me prices and I kept telling him "no". Finally I said, "50" which is about about $7. I climbed on the bus and he said, "Okay, 50". So I am now the proud owner of a ____.