This was a long day with a lot of walking and I am tired all over again just looking through the pictures.
We went first to the Temple of Heaven. This was fascinating, not because of the Temple itself, but because of the people. We were there first thing in the morning and there were hundreds of retired Chinese people in the park, exercising in various ways. There is "playground" equipment there, and people were also dancing, using spinning tops, and bouncing balls off paddles. We were enthralled. Very fun.
Then we went to "a local handicraft center". Another silk factory.
From there we went to Tian An Men Square. Fifteen years ago when my parents were there no one was allowed to take pictures, and one woman's camera was confiscated when she took some photos. These days cameras are flashing all over the place, with no repercussions at all. Here's what our guide told us, "You can take pictures everywhere here, but if you want to take a picture of the police, don't ask. Just wait until the Koreans take pictures of them, then you take a picture." I love seeing places where I know about some of the history that has taken place in that spot.
Next on to ZhongShan Park. We found the tree where in 1921 David O. McKay dedicated the land of China for missionary work sometime in the future. That day has not yet arrived, but the Chinese people are afforded many more freedoms now than in the past.
We spent the remainder of the day in the Forbidden City. It was a lot to take in, and a long time spent there. At least we were together.
May 16
- Temple of Heaven
- Local Handicraft centers
- Lunch
- Tian An Men Square
- ZhongShan Park
- Forbidden City
- Dinner
- Acrobatic Show (with a very polite audience)
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| Exercising in the park |
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| John tried out the eliptical trainer |
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| Paul and Orva |
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| Everywhere we went people wanted to take their picture with us. |
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| Paul and Orva |
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| Diane and Ray |
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| Temple of Heaven. Mom and Dad |
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| Mom |
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| Diane |
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| Diane and Ray |
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| Paul and Orva |
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| Ray, Diane, Mom. More Temple of Heaven. |
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| Tian An Men Square |
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Tian An Men Square
Ray, Diane, Orva, Paul, Dad, Mom, John, Audry, Ann, Charles |
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| They put up a new picture of Mao every year |
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| Here we are in the tunnel going under the street. |
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ZhongShan Park
John, Audry, Ray, Diane, Dad, Mom, Orva, Paul, Ann, Charles |
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| John, Diane, Mom |
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| Diane and Mom |
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| Orva and Paul |
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| Diane and Ray |
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| Mom and Dad |
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| The Forbidden City |
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The Forbidden City
John, Audry, Mom, Ray, Diane, our guide Kevin, Orva, Paul |
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| The Forbidden City. Ray, Ann, John |
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| Resting our weary selves. John, Orva, Mom, Paul |
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| Dad and Mom |
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| Orva, Diane, Ann, and Mom by one of the four star restrooms |
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| The Forbidden City. Diane, Orva, Paul |
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| Diane and Ray |
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