Beijing

China -- We arrived in Beijing just as the reports of a rebellion in Tibet were being projected throughout the world. In our room at The Peninsula Hotel, any mention of Tibet on the TV was followed by minutes of blackout. A quick reminder of the communist influence over the media!

Everywhere we went, there were signs of the Olympics.  We were able to have a quick drive through the Olympic site.  The Birds Nest Stadium looked to be complete, but there is much construction underway.  The Natatorium looked complete, and an international Water Polo competition was scheduled for the week we were in town.  We begged the bus driver to find a store with Olympic gear, and finally we were successful.

We spent a very busy morning in Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City. Tian An Men Square was very stark with a variety of Chinese soldiers marching about to make sure that there we didn't disturb anything. We then proceeded through the Chairman Mao Gate into the Forbidden City. Full of hundreds of buildings that are centuries old. As the dynasties continued, the emperors just continued to expand the facilities.


I fell in love with the enameled roof ornaments.  The larger the procession of figures, the more important was the building. For instance, this building with nine figures on the roof was meant to be used by the emperor.

George and Chairman Mao met up again at the park outside the Temple of Heaven.  This was a great stop -- not a lot of tourists, but full of senior citizens enjoying a pretty spring day!  All along this promenade, there were groups of people playing cards, singing, playing musical instruments and just having a great afternoon in the park!  Inside the walkway, the walls and the ceilings were decorated with centuries old paintings and murals.