Today we visited Tienanmen Square which we learned is the largest city square in the world. They are busy renovation many of the buildings and are getting the square ready for the big holiday on Oct. 1st. They are setting up replica models of some of the important buildings or sites in China.
We then went to the Forbidden City. It goes on and on and on and on. Andrew was not to fond of how long it took to get through the Forbidden City. It was very crowded, mostly with Chinese citizens. There was a mock Emperor up on the balcony waving to the visitors, it reminded me of the movie Mulan.
After making it through the Forbidden City, we went to lunch at a Noodle Restaurant where they ring a gong to welcome you in. The food was very good again today. Zach's favorite was the deep fried starch pieces dipped in a garlic sauce.
After lunch we went on the Hutong Tour. We learned that Hutong means water well in Mongolian and that the alley ways in the Hutong area are there partly for water to be piped in under the alleys. This is where you go to one of the older neighborhoods in Beijing and ride in a rickshaw around the area and you stop a couple of times to see the houses. One of the houses the family invites you in to see how a typical Chinese family lives in this area. Hutong are houses in a area where the streets are most like alleys and they are traditional courtyard houses. Most people in Beijing live in apartment buildings and most of the older Hutong have been torn down, but now they are preserving them for history.
After the Hutong tour we drove by the new Olympic stadium being built. It is a wild and amazing structure. We then headed for the Pearl Factory and what is know as the Pearl Market which is actually a big swap meet type place where they sell knock-offs and cheap stuff. It is a fun place.
We are now all wiped out and everyone but me is ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. So no comments from Andrew and Zach right now.
Tomorrow is Meili day.
We are so excited and I am a little nervous. Becoming a Mommy again after 8 years is great but I have my little moments where I panic and wonder if I am ready.
Wish us luck.
We then went to the Forbidden City. It goes on and on and on and on. Andrew was not to fond of how long it took to get through the Forbidden City. It was very crowded, mostly with Chinese citizens. There was a mock Emperor up on the balcony waving to the visitors, it reminded me of the movie Mulan.
After making it through the Forbidden City, we went to lunch at a Noodle Restaurant where they ring a gong to welcome you in. The food was very good again today. Zach's favorite was the deep fried starch pieces dipped in a garlic sauce.
After lunch we went on the Hutong Tour. We learned that Hutong means water well in Mongolian and that the alley ways in the Hutong area are there partly for water to be piped in under the alleys. This is where you go to one of the older neighborhoods in Beijing and ride in a rickshaw around the area and you stop a couple of times to see the houses. One of the houses the family invites you in to see how a typical Chinese family lives in this area. Hutong are houses in a area where the streets are most like alleys and they are traditional courtyard houses. Most people in Beijing live in apartment buildings and most of the older Hutong have been torn down, but now they are preserving them for history.
After the Hutong tour we drove by the new Olympic stadium being built. It is a wild and amazing structure. We then headed for the Pearl Factory and what is know as the Pearl Market which is actually a big swap meet type place where they sell knock-offs and cheap stuff. It is a fun place.
We are now all wiped out and everyone but me is ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. So no comments from Andrew and Zach right now.
Tomorrow is Meili day.
We are so excited and I am a little nervous. Becoming a Mommy again after 8 years is great but I have my little moments where I panic and wonder if I am ready.Wish us luck.
