The long awaited day finally arrived...Steph arrived in China! When we had made the decision to move to China, Steph was the first to say she would visit! I’m not sure if she was so gung ho when it was time to get on the plane (I heard there were plenty of tears!), but she made it safe and sound and we couldn’t be happier to have her! We have spent the past two days exploring Beijing, both the old and the new!
On Thursday night, shortly after her arrival, we took her straight to Wangfujing Street where we treated her to an American meal followed by the opportunity to try some of China’s finest cuisine - sheep testicles, beetles, or scorpions! She passed on all of the above, and settled on Haagen Daaz! It was a beautiful night and not too crowded because it was still a week night! The kids could not get enough of Aunt Steph! It was a great introduction to Beijing!
After our jaunt, we came back to the hotel and ordered up foot massagers! Danny was treated like a king, but Steph and I were spoiled by our ladies who gave great massages that were not terribly painful!
On Friday morning poor Steph was up bright and early (jet lag stinks!), so we went to the Forbidden City area straight away! We started at Tian’anmen Square. It was quite busy with many tour groups, but we opted to go to the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall to see Mao Zedong’s embalmed body anyway. It was the first time I had been inside this Hall. We almost didn’t get in due to Steph’s strapless shirt, but ignorance is bliss, so we kept walking!! Danny stayed outside with the bags, but we took the children in. Once we went through several security check points, we were inside. It is actually quite a small building, the first room is where you can put any flowers that you may have purchased, and the second room houses the body. The kids were quite impressed, especially the boys who couldn’t stop talking about how they had seen a dead man today! I probably should have left them outside with Danny!! I always find Tian’anmen to be a good reminder that we do live in a communist country where our movements are kept track of. There are plenty of clothed guards walking around the square, but there are also many plain clothed guards acting as civilians watching your every move.
How many people can fit into a bus to use the toilet?? We kept our distance!
After Tian’anmen we went through the underground tunnel to the other side of the street where the Forbidden City, in all of it’s glory stands. I have been there many times now, but I still love to go! The more I learn about it, the better pictures I am able to produce in my mind as we walk through about the people who lived there and what their lives were like! It is fascinating and I think Steph really enjoyed herself! She listened to an audio tour while we walked so she got an idea of what everything was!
Trying to keep cool - it was hot!!
Steph's first witnessing of eliminating waste on the sidewalk!
Walking the path of the emperor!
Once we reached the other end of the “city” we found rickshaws to take us through a hutong area. This was the first time we had visited the hutongs. The kids loved the rickshaw, but Steph and I were a bit worried that ours might break - it creaked a little too much for my liking!! The hutongs are made up of several courtyard residences. The conditions are poor in many of these areas now, but long ago, when only one family resided in a house, they were considered very desirable. Over the past fifty years, many families had to move in together, and many hutong areas have been replaced with high rises and roads. Some hutong areas are now being protected by the government as a way to preserve this part of Beijing’s past!
After a stop at Hooter’s (or as the boys’ say “boobs”) for lunch and a little rest, we took Steph to the Red Theater to watch a little Kung Fu. It was an entertaining show, except for some of the dramatic parts - they were a little over the top!! Steph watched about half of it, the rest of the time I caught her laying back, eyes closed, and mouth wide opened!!
Today we ventured to the Silk Market for a tiny preview! It is very overwhelming and since we are planning a trip there on Tuesday, we thought we would just walk around a little!! Danny did end up ordering a custom made suit - we are all very curious as to how that will turn out! We picked up odds and ends, but decided against going to the basement where the shoes and purses are - Steph will be there for ages and it is tight quarters down there - I thought we would save the kids from the trauma of being touched all over!!
We then went and explored the more modern Sanlitun shopping and eating area! We ate at a restaurant called Element Fresh, which is a Shanghai chain! It was packed and for a good reason - the food was really yummy!!
Our last stop on our whirlwind tour of Beiing was to the Bird’s Nest. It is a very cool structure, although totally underused!
Our time together with Steph is only just beginning!! We are so thankful she was willing to come all the way to us - thank you Steph!! We’re looking forward to 8 more wonderful days!!
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