Last weekend I took a much needed vacation from life and ran away to Beijing to get some of my traveling must sees crossed off the list. It was a surprisingly hectic week in Korea before I took off which in hindsight could have been avoided, but I guess that is what makes it more fun, right? I had one extra day off from work because of the lunar holiday and needed it! I couldn't imagine doing the two day visit to this crazy city we considered last summer. It would have been impossible.
I was lucky enough to meet up with some fellow English teachers from Korea at the airport. We traveled into the city together and hung out for the weekend. Our first night we found our accommodations and got some dinner. I thought it was challenging in Korea to get food that is somewhat identifiable and sanitary, China, you are much, bigger challenge.
We woke up early the next day to fight the 60th Anniversary of Communism crowds that were expected around Tiananmen Square that weekend. Maybe I should have checked the holiday situation in China too, just a thought.. We were herded with about a zillion other tourists to the square. In the middle of the infamous square some of the floats from the parade were parked. I read somewhere that they locked up all the city's pigeons...you know I kept looking around for one after hearing this and didn't catch a glimpse of one all day.I wonder what happened to them?!?
From there we pushed our way through the square and into the Forbidden city. Wow, that thing is massive. I wandered around for awhile and took lots of pictures. I wish I would have caught more of the history, but it was just surreal to walk around know ing that this place had been kept secret for so long. A massive collection of exordinant buildings in the middle of a major city, then capital of a large country... wouldn't fly in most countries.
The bajillion Chinese people I got cozy with on the way to the sights
Soldiers were out in force this weekend all over the city
Soldier biking it.
The man himself, Mao, and his admirers
One of the popular parade floats in the Hall of the People
A building near the center, I prettied it up a tad.
Me in the city
I love the colors and patterns on palaces....I took about a zillion of these pics
Cool room
Roooarr.
The Forbidden City entrance
I was lucky enough to meet up with some fellow English teachers from Korea at the airport. We traveled into the city together and hung out for the weekend. Our first night we found our accommodations and got some dinner. I thought it was challenging in Korea to get food that is somewhat identifiable and sanitary, China, you are much, bigger challenge.
We woke up early the next day to fight the 60th Anniversary of Communism crowds that were expected around Tiananmen Square that weekend. Maybe I should have checked the holiday situation in China too, just a thought.. We were herded with about a zillion other tourists to the square. In the middle of the infamous square some of the floats from the parade were parked. I read somewhere that they locked up all the city's pigeons...you know I kept looking around for one after hearing this and didn't catch a glimpse of one all day.I wonder what happened to them?!?
From there we pushed our way through the square and into the Forbidden city. Wow, that thing is massive. I wandered around for awhile and took lots of pictures. I wish I would have caught more of the history, but it was just surreal to walk around know ing that this place had been kept secret for so long. A massive collection of exordinant buildings in the middle of a major city, then capital of a large country... wouldn't fly in most countries.
The bajillion Chinese people I got cozy with on the way to the sights
Soldiers were out in force this weekend all over the city
Soldier biking it.
The man himself, Mao, and his admirers
One of the popular parade floats in the Hall of the People
A building near the center, I prettied it up a tad.
Me in the city
I love the colors and patterns on palaces....I took about a zillion of these pics
Cool room
Roooarr.
The Forbidden City entrance
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