10/08/2009 04:48:00 PM
Tully Mars
After breakfast we hooped on a bus and rode over to Tiananmen Square (yeah I know, we just ran there on accident – LOL). The National Day of Celebration was still in full swing in the square. Hundreds of tourists along with visiting Chinese were enjoying the sites as the nation’s pride was clearly on display in the capital city. Our tour guide was extremely proud of his providence’s parade float with its twin babies as the center piece of the display. The twins represent good fortune and prosperity. It is very obvious he is a devote communist and believes the party line without question. Bill Hang is our National Guide and will be with us the entire trip. He is hilarious to listen to and you have to be careful not to get trapped into one of his jokes. Most of them start off as if he is testing your knowledge of something and then suddenly he throws the punch line at you.
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The history contained in the area was the most fascinating part of the experience for Tricia and me. Seeing all of the places that you only see in movies or pictures is nice, but learning about how the emperor’s ruled and how the people were subject to their whims is what this is really about. The combination of the two sites really shows you the way China has become a nation. The Forbidden City represents the royalty or imperial rule over the land that China experiences thru so many years. Each dynasty making a lasting imprint on the nation and the people.
And Tiananmen Square symbolizes the revolt and revolution of the people to the Communist way of life. Their greatest leader, Chairman Mao is everywhere and there is no escaping the relationship of the square to the imperial city. The way the two are interconnected show that the Chinese remain closely tied to their history and value the lessons learned.
The detail and architecture of the Forbidden City is absolutely unique. This is definitely a culture I’ve never experienced or been this close to. It’s going to be really fun to continue to drink up the information that our guides are providing.
After the Forbidden City came the rickshaw rides thru “old Beijing” to see how the “common” people live. They literally took us thru what we would consider “lesser” parts of town, but obviously this was the middle class of live for them. We got to each a “traditional” lunch (wu fan) with a family. Nothing too exciting (no scorpions on a stick – YET), just the usual duck with carrots, green beans, pork dumplings, red carrots with rice vinegar, bean sprouts, pork meat balls and garlic shouts with chicken. All served “family” style where everyone shares all the dishes. The tea (cha) was excellent and Bill was bragging on his mother’s tea and promised to bring his family’s tea for us to try dinner.
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I felt bad about our rickshaw driver, so I insisted on taking over and making him sit in the back while I followed the lead rickshaw. Everyone from the other drivers to folks on the street laughed as I pedaled the rickshaw thru the narrow hutongs and streets. It didn’t take long for both Tricia and our driver to decide that I was not the best rickshaw driver. Finally after nearly crashing into the lead rickshaw twice, he INSISTED on taking back the control of his livelihood. It was really fun, but I still felt sorry for the short 150 pound dude hauling my fat butt around in the back! I know I could take him in a race! LOL
Tricia "suckered" into participating in the dance
I don't see a problem with me driving!!
How could I let this guy - SHORTER than Tricia - haul me around!
Outside the Forbidden City
Part of the Imperial Garden
15 families live in this quad house area
Empty plates equals satisfied hungers!
The Family's pet cricket (good luck)
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I felt bad about our rickshaw driver, so I insisted on taking over and making him sit in the back while I followed the lead rickshaw. Everyone from the other drivers to folks on the street laughed as I pedaled the rickshaw thru the narrow hutongs and streets. It didn’t take long for both Tricia and our driver to decide that I was not the best rickshaw driver. Finally after nearly crashing into the lead rickshaw twice, he INSISTED on taking back the control of his livelihood. It was really fun, but I still felt sorry for the short 150 pound dude hauling my fat butt around in the back! I know I could take him in a race! LOL
What fun!! Really enjoying seeing all the pictures and reading about your adventures!! Love you all! Mom