Friday,
September 10, 2010
As we draw one day closer to our baby, we crammed in 5,000 years
of Chinese culture into 10 hours! The Chinese culture is very
unique, and some day, we want to be able to tell our son where
he is from. We will especially be able to tell him about the
people. We were pleasantly surprised to find that we were not to
board a tour bus today; but instead, a personal taxi and tour
guide. The price we paid for this tour was very inexpensive, and
we truly felt like royalty today. This was just one example of
how kind the Chinese people are. Our guide 'Kathy' was truly an
angel, and was very open to answering our many, many questions
about the culture, the city, history, the government, the people
and family, economy, and medical care. As we were escorted
through Beijing, we went in and out, answering questions,
listening to her answers, and watching the many cars, bikes and
people nearly became part of our tire. Wow! The traffic is a
mixture of about 80% cars or buses (with well used horns), 15%
bikes and 5% pedestrians on the street at all times. There are
lines and crosswalks on the roads, but nobody uses them. Ben and
I did where our seatbelt, but believe it or not, I think there
is a low incidence of accidents. We didn't see one. And the
beautiful thing is, no road rage. Nobody gets mad at nobody. Its
just an understanding that the cars have the right away, and you
get out of their way.
Now onto the culture and history. We had a busy day, at Summer
Palace, Temple of Heaven, Beijing Zoo (to see the pandas), a Tea
House,a pearl/jade market, a Chinese doctor/pharmacy (which the
Chinese use over a more 'western' doctors and medical clinics),
a wonderful traditional lunch and an acrobatic show. I know the
details could be a bit boring, but in a nutshell, the buildings
are very old and beautiful, the tea is authentic and delicious,
the doctor was pretty accurate with my diagnoses, and the lunch
was fantastically fresh and nothing like we get in Spokane. By
the way, bamboo is green, not yellow!
And for the end of the day, Chinese Acrobats! Just amazing, the
discipline, the strength, the beauty. What a wonderful end to
the day. And one small world comment, sitting next to us, a
couple from Pullman, WA!
Love, Ben and Shawna
2 more days to Qwinn! |
By the lake at Summer Palace.
Blue skies at the Temple of Heaven
Time for tea? |
