Our entire vacation was marvelous, it really was. It's so difficult trying to think of the things most noteworthy about it. SO... first things first. Just a couple blocks down from our hostel was a small little street shop where this old lady and her son ran a small restaurant with noodles, dumpling and won-tons, or as we know it in China, Jiaozi and Biaozi. Jiaozi is like a won-ton and the biaozi is a specialty in Beijing. SO delicious. It's a meat or filling of some kind wrapped and steamed in a bun, some kind of bread. I don't know exactly I just know it is so good! Hen hao chi! But the best part was just the little lady. Our dutch friend Rick introduced us to the place and we went there a few times while we were in Beijing because it was WAY cheap and very affordable and filling, so we really got to know them. She loved seeing us and it was actually very sad when we left and had to say goodbye to her. :) Such a sweet lady.
We were able to go to Tian an men Square and the Forbidden City on Day 4. It was a freezing day. The weather in Beijing was just frigid. The wind was a killer. And with it being Spring Festival it was CRAZY busy, so it was very crowded and not so enjoyable walking around in the chill air all day. But.... we wanted to see it and we were so glad we did. The forbidden city was amazing. It is huge! It never ends. One courtyard after another... it never ends. It's like it's own city. The Ming Dynasty was spoiled! :) The Emperor had a different building for everything. Ha! But seriously. We were reading the little signs at the entrances of them all, and they would tell us, this one was used to change the emperor's clothes. Or, this is where the emperor did his reading. It was a bit humorous.
It was surprising to me. The city was packed with tourists but 90% were Chinese tourists, which isn't all that strange because if you think about it, in America most of our country's national sights are American tourists, but I think we were just expecting to see more white people. So it was a huge deal for them to see Americans there because we were like the only ones. Everyone had camera's and it was so full of people to begin with... it wasn't unusual or uncommon that we were stopped periodically with requests for photo's. They would come up and just grab us by the arms and point to the camera, ha. We got real good at it by the end of the day. You really do start to feel like some sort of celebrity.
That night, we visited the Olympic Stadium and the park that surrounded it. It's a great building! The architecture is very unique, I loved it. We went at night, so the park was lit up and it was just beautiful. Again, not much I can say about it. Pictures will be much more effective.
Day 5, we woke up, packed our bags, and checked out of the hostel. Then made a quick visit to Silk Street which is Beijing's main tourist attraction for shopping. That's where they have name brand things for way cheap, and real silks, and pearls... all that good stuff. I made a few worth while purchases. I feel good about them. The best part is bartering. Seriously! I keep talking about it, but it's addicting! It is so much fun. It's like a game, for us and for them. We have too much fun with it, and we're getting good!
Temple of Heaven was our next stop before we left for Xi'an. It was beautiful. Another one of those outdoor parks that would be so much more enjoyable in the spring or summer time when it's warmer outside. We did walk around the park though and it is incredible. The layout and just how large it is, it was wonderful, I can't imagine how gorgeous it must be when the flowers are blooming and the colors are green and bright. The temple itself was just beautiful... you can see for yourself once I get pictures up.
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