A Frozen Weekend in the Forbidden City: Beijing 11.13-11.19

Defrosting in Hong Kong from a weekend in Beijing (which was below freezing and windy as ever) has been challenging. With unprecedented temperatures in the low 50's (!!!), Hong Kong hasn't been cooperating with my semi-frozen body. But, enough complaining!

Beijing was an incredible city. First, I'm glad I got to see Beijing post-Olympics; much more user-friendly and seems like the city got some needed (but well/sensitively done) face lifts. Second, the city is truly world-class. Think of Tian'anmen Square as Trafalgar Square or the Forbidden City as Versailles. The Summer Palace? Monticello, maybe. Really something to add to your bucket list (I hope none of the readers of this blog actually have a bucket list...). Finally, even though we trophy-children of the new millennium grew up with a relatively open China, Beijing still holds a bit of mystique. Too bad the mystique was frozen along with my toes! Here is your...

TOP 5 BEIJING!!
5. Oh, Oohh, Oooohh...
Stealing a joke: Brezhnev (kinda the lamest of the Soviet rulers) was giving a speech at the Olympics. "Ohhh!" he says. "Oh! Oh! Oh!" "Ohhhhh!" Then an aide runs up to him and says, "Comrade, that's the Olympic rings. you don't need to read those!".
Beijing's Olympic facilities, though, were worthy of some "Oh"'s and even some "Ah"'s. Maybe not a "Yipee!," but I did one anyways.

4. Gimme some Mao!
Tian'anmen Square--the largest "public" square in the world--is painstakingly big. Since it wasn't fully packed (I think it's capacity is something around 1 kajillion), the only way we could gauge its sheer size was that after 20 minutes of strolling across it, we were still in the square!! Mao's portrait (and corpse) dominate the scene. And fortunately, we got to catch the military men lower the flag at sunset. The somberness of the affair, though, didn't stop Asian tourists from being Asian tourists...Click on the photo for a better view!

3. The Tourist and The Stupid Tourist.
There's time when you feel like a tourist, and you're OK with it. Then there's time you feel like a stupid tourist, and you're still OK with it. I felt the latter at the Summer Palace...in the WINTER TIME. Forced into buying a too-big touristy "Commie Hat" to keep my head warm, the stupid tourist was in fine form at this scenic summer home of the Qing Emperors set along the (frozen) Kunming Lake.


2. No, no no. Can't go in there...
Forbidden no more, this city was marvelous. Again, the sheer size was impressive/overwhelming and the great condition of all the buildings is remarkable!


1. What a Wall!

Good Wall.


Better Wall.


GREAT WALL!


Ok, even for the standards of this blog that was particularly lame. And, the logical progression would be "Best Wall," anyways...Whatever! One of the few sights that really makes you feel a heavy weight and gives you the butterflies in your stomach at the same time. Still, had to wonder "Why?" The wall didn't even work! The Mongols kinda just went through it. Seems a bit excessive...but I'm glad they built it. I love that light/heavy feeling in your gut. I would chase it, but don't know which way to go--up or down?

Take home message (feeling teacher-like):
BIG. BELOW ZERO. BEIJING.

Needing to be turned over...ykno, like in the microwave, when you defrost something...,
Dans