Oh foolish tourist…so you think because you’ve been to a few
cities, walked, walked and walked until you dropped that you have really experienced the truth of the Long
March. No! You must see more of the greatness of the Middle Kingdom. In Beijing
you will learn truly what BIG means.
After a fabulous airplane journey on China Eastern Airlines,
the low fare carrier whose clientele would be happiest if they could bring their
live chickens and goats on board, we arrived in Beijing, Dragon Lady/Tour Guide
had a surprise for us.
“
What? You did not read the fine print in Chinese characters
in your contract that told you would be providing and experiencing traditional
Chinese grandparent services in Beijing? Oh so sorry. But a contract is a
contract you know.”
So we are here with the entire Pooh Lee Shah clan. Doing
touring in a completely foreign environment with an entire gaggle of children
(including toddler and nanny) certainly adds to the ‘experience’ quotient.
Our goal in Beijing is to see the major sites. Much like our visit to Suzhou and Nanjing, the
sheer scope and size of things means you are spending a ton of time and energy
just to see a few things. Until we get back to Hong Kong, get total access to
Internet again, and can post pictures and videos it is hard to put into words
just how big things are here and how many people there are. If you’ve been to
New York or Los Angeles, they really are the only cities in the US that even
come close to the scale of things here.
Thus far we’ve knocked out the Forbidden City, Tiananmen
Square, Beihai Park, and the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, and
the Temple of Heaven on Tuesday.
We are coming back on yet another Asian Discount Airline,
DragonAir. Can’t wait!
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