Friday, January 22, 2010
What a crazy busy day! We've had problems with the internet so
sorry for posting so late. We are having a blast and really
enjoying experiencing the culture.
We met up with 2 other families and our guide, Sarah, took us to
Tian'anMen Square. She had warned us the day before that it
would be bitter cold and to dress appropriately. Cody and I
bundled up to the max, but Mike was a non-believer. "I promise
you Leanne you don't need all those layers." Guess who got his
tookus frozen off? Well we all did, but Mike in his short sleeve
shirt under his coat was the coldest. It was bitter cold. Try to
imagine the coldest you've ever been then put a bucket of ice
down your back and that will give you some idea of how insanely
cold it was.
Tian'anMen Square was huge. It is crazy big. Literally one
million people can fit in the square. It was built to rival the
Red Square in Russia I guess as kind of a Communist one--upmanship.
It was a pretty day, blue skies, but the wind made it almost
unbearable. Cody was wrapped up with only his nose sticking out.
Next we went to the Forbidden City which was even bigger than
Tian'anMen Square. Wonderful architecture, incredible history,
and tunnels that allowed the wind to whip through at even
greater speeds. Did I mention that it was bone-chilling,
eye-watering, teeth-chattering COLD? I took over 200 pictures so
we'll be able to look back on it when we can feel our toes. Our
guide did a great job of explaining the history and doing it
quickly as our main goal was to make it back to the bus while we
still had feeling in our extremities.
Then we went to a restaurant for a traditional meal complete
with a huge lazy susan that Cody thought was great fun. The food
was wonderful! There was such a variety and every single thing I
tried tasted great. We all filled up we thawed out. Not that the
room was heated exactly, but it was definitely warmer than
outside.
Luckily a silk factory was next which meant INDOORS! Just that
fact alone makes it one of the highlights of the day. We learned
all about the life cycle of the silkworm and how they make silk.
Cody even got a cocoon as a gift.
Next we braved the cold once again and did a rickshaw ride. Some
poor guy pulled all three of us. I am quite sure he was looking
at the other twosomes and realized that he got a raw deal. We
went to a traditional house (unheated, do you see a little
pattern here?) and did some shopping. Mike and I bought some
North Face gloves. Of course after we bought them and put them
on we realized that the logo was written backwards so it is
highly likely (100%) that they may not be the real thing. We got
Cody a fuzzy army green Communist hat that he loves. It was 20
RMB which is about $3 USD. I talked her down from 45 RMB which
I'm proud of but I think she still made a profit.
Our last stop in our whirlwind (literally whirlWIND) day was an
amazing acrobatic show. We were blown away. It was truly
amazing. Feats of strength and flexibility that just made me
cringe it was so unbelievable.
We had the buffet in the hotel for dinner. Cody had fried rice,
skewered beef, and a California vegetarian pizza. Mike had a bit
of everything, the most exotic being chili with baby octopus (he
gave it a thumbs up). I had about 3 plates of watermelon and
began counting down the hours til the breakfast buffet. So
surprised when it came to almost $90. Most expensive watermelon
EVER. Won't be doing that again.
We have really enjoyed ourselves in spite of the bitter cold.
The Chinese people are so friendly and helpful. I am glad that
we will have so many wonderful memories of Sarah's homeland.
Tomorrow is the Jade Factory and The Great Wall which Sarah
promises will be even colder than today. I am trying to plan a
way to fit my pajama bottoms under my jeans... socks under my
mittens... every shirt I own on my back... maybe that will do
the trick.
Give Ryan a big hug and kiss! We miss him!! Cody is working hard
thinking what we can buy for him. Kind of wish we bought 2
Communist hats but we'll see what we end up with.
Getting closer to Sarah!!
With love from China,
Leanne, Mike and Cody |
Tia'anMen
Square
Cody and Mike in the Forbidden City.
The turtle
symbolizes the hope for a long life.
In the Forbidden City garden with our new BFFs.
Cody testing his strength against silk at the silk
factory.
Rickshaw ride during the hutong tour.
Cody's going Red on us in the hutong. |
