Recap

(Written 8.5.07)

Classes are done. Exams have been given. We’ve been in Beijing for a while, which is why I’ve been quiet.

There is a saying in China:

You are not a real man until you’ve climbed the Great Wall.

Well, I’m a real man now. Unfortunately, it was incredibly foggy so we couldn’t see that far. I’m holding out for when I come back in the winter. Nonetheless, it was incredible. The place we were at was STEEP and it was definitely a workout.

I also went to acrobatic show which made everything I’ve ever done with my life seem worthless. I’m pretty certain someone sits around and goes, “Ok, what is NOT humanly possibly… Oh! Let’s do it!” I have a few photos of that, but yea, it was crazy. I’m glad it was an hour. I don’t think my nerves couldn’t handled much more.

Went to Tiananmen. Saw the Monument to the People’s Heroes, all the buildings around it (People’s Congress, National Museum of the People, more monument, Mao’s Mausoleum, some cool gates and towers), and the ever famous entrance to the Forbidden City with Mao’s photo.

And, naturally, we went to the Forbidden City. A lot of the main parts were being renovated for the Olympics, but again I’m holding out for the winter.

At all areas there were tons of people and poor visibility. I’m hoping in a few months things will be better. Regardless, it was breath taking. My favorite? Probably Tiananmen. The history there is enormous. Why not the Great Wall? I couldn’t see a lot of it, although it was incredible. Plus, the section we were on was only built during the Ming dynasty (~500 years ago). There are some sections that are near 2,000 years old. Ok, I know I’m picky. It was all good, but Tiananmen seemed so fresh. Seeing the monument, the Congress building (where the magic happens), and seeing Mao’s photo over the Forbidden City… this is TODAY. I love yesterday, but today is… today. Real. The expanse of the Forbidden City is incredible. 32 emperors from the Ming (started 1,300 AD) to the Qing (ended 1911) resided there. It took us almost two hours to get through and we didn’t stop long. We missed an entire side of things AND some of the areas were closed for renovations. Huge.

Anyway. Time has flown by. Goodbyes are truly sad. I return to Shijiazhuang tomorrow (at least when I write this. When I POST this will be a different matter…)