Day-2: How to Overcome Jetlag: Beijing style

Our guide Helen (also known as "Super Helen" )

took us so many places today that we forgot how tired we were. We started the day with a breakfast buffet here at the hotel. They had lots of familiar breakfast foods as well as many Chinese options. At nine o'clock we met our travel mates and got on the bus bound for Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. It seemed a little surreal to be standing in such historically significant places. The Forbidden City goes on and on with layer after layer of courtyards and buildings. It is an amazing place. Next we went to a 400 year old restaurant for lunch. We're not sure exactly what we ate, but it was good! After lunch, we went to a silk factory where we learned how silk is made. Then we were off to a Huton, which is an ancient type of Chinese home. We rode on rickshaws through tiny alley ways. Andy and I felt sorry for the fairly elderly man who was pedaling us around! We stopped and had tea with a gentleman who told us about his family and his life. He had grown up in this Hutong with his brothers and sisters. The Hutong is built in a quadrangle with one portion for each of the three generations of family. The fourth side is for the servants. The center is a garden type of area where there are trees and plants. It was interesting to see this simple and ancient way of life. Along the way there were tiny produce shops and other shops. People were gathered to visit, smoke and play majong. After just enough time to get a bottle of cold water, we were off to a Chinese tea ceremony. We sampled lots of different kinds of tea and bought some to bring home. Then we were back in the bus to go to an acrobatic show. Incredible only begins to describe the things that these young people could do. They were all under twenty years old. They were so strong and flexible. It was amazing. Finally, we went to a traditional duck dinner. By this time we were almost too exhausted to eat, so Helen mercifully brought us back to our hotel. Part of the adventure of the day was just travelling on the Beijing streets. It seems miraculous that no pedestrians or bicyclists were killed by our bus today. The driving was at least as entertaining and thrilling as anything else that we experienced! It was a terrific day. We are excited to be here, but our beds will feel awfully good tonight! Tomorrow, we will go to the Great Wall and a jade factory.

Thanks for your comments and prayers!