Day 1 of touring Beijing

It was a very amazing day today…too surreal. We went to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square this morning, had a wonderful vegetarian lunch, then visited the Summer Palace this afternoon. While we’re both tired, we’re surprised at the adjustment we’ve been able to make as a result of the daylight. Even though we’re 13 hours later, it doesn’t seem like we’re that far off.

The Forbidden City is awesome. That word does not even come close to describing it. It’s unbelievable that just yesterday we were in Chicago and now here we are wandering around a 15^th century city. The artwork, the garden, the 300 year old + trees…it doesn’t even seem real. Our tour guide is Evelyn is wonderful. She is very knowledgeable and fun and is more than willing to answer our questions as well as take our picture in front of significant landmarks. Tiananmen Square was surprisingly emotional when you think back to what happened there 20 years ago. The picture of Chairman Mao on the outside of the north gate of the Forbidden City is so vivid and lifelike. Evelyn told us that it was from that gate that Chairman Mao proclaimed to the world the birth of new China. His mausoleum is across the square and his body is lying in state in a glass coffin. The building is normally closed and it was today as well.

We’re really enjoying seeing the sites with Patrick and Linda who are the other couple from our agency who are here to get their little girl. We will be parting ways in 2 days only to reconnect with them in Guangzhou with our little girls.

The Summer Palace was equally amazing. We really didn’t know too much about the Palace but as usual, Evelyn filled us in. She told us about the Dragon Lady who was the emperor’s mother who REALLY ran the country. She was not a very pleasant person and apparently is not remembered too fondly by the public. It’s difficult too describe…beautiful buildings in a garden on a lake. That statement really doesn’t do the Palace justice…the pictures will fill in the gaps.

After the palace, we stopped off at a pearl factory where they harvest pearls from the oysters that are gathered from the lake at the Summer Palace. They demonstrated how they get the pearls and opened an oyster in front of us, then gave us the pearls as souvenirs. Because they are also the factory that makes the jewelry, the prices are very reasonable. We bought a little something for Anyssa to wear.

We will be going to the Great Wall tomorrow and will be sharing more pictures in the next day or 2. Thank you all for your prayers and support and we are glad that we can share this journey with you.