Beijing

[Hedo69]

Back in February, we had the awesome opportunity to visit Beijing. Trace went for work exploration, and I went...well I went just because I could. We did a quite a bit of tourist stuff and a good bit of non touristy stuff.

First off, the Great Wall. If you go to China, make sure you see the Wall. The pics don't capture the massiveness, the awesomeness (using ithis word as in the awe-inspiring original meaning), the pure power that went into the building of the wall, but they do convey some of the beauty of the ancient mixed with the modern day.


China is very proud to be sponsoring the Olympics.






Great Wall graffiti. If it were scratched in in English, it wouldn't have been so lovely, but since it was all in Chinese, it didn't take away from the overall experience.


All up the wall, anywhere there was a somewhat level spot, hawkers were set up selling anything Great Wall-ish you can imagine. They were VERY persistant and would grab your arm, follow you and really push you to buy things.


At the crest of each hill, there would be a lookout post with a little turret. Each had several window out onto the surrounding area.





Trace and me horsing around on one of the cannons there. Yes it was very cold!


To be expected, tea houses were everywhere. This is a neat little stone one. I loved the seats.

[innit Geezer]

Fantastic pictures and it's nice to see Trace pre-heating the canon for your turn to sit down! Good visibility you had that afternoon too. The Walls history is amazing, it's hard to comprehend the time and effort from people so long ago.

I understand that the Great Wall, is the only made made object visible from space.

[pixiedust]

REALLY cool pics - thanks for sharing with us - really enjoyed hearing about your trip!

Colleen

[Merlot Joe]

Great photo's kiddo. See you had a nice warm trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looked like lots of fun.


Joe

[Hedo69]

Beijing was the greyist city I've ever seen. The more modern building were squat and grey, the streets were grey, even the evergreens were grey! However, at night when the neon lights came on, the city transformed. Unfortunately, I only have a crappy digital camera right now (am on the hunt) and it doesn't take good night time pics. Here are a few general pics from around the city:




Shots from our hotel window. Until the very most recent days, no imagination and grace went into the building of the modern city.


Early evening


Nighttime


Bicycles are EVERYWHERE. They ride in busiest of traffic and are still a mainstay of transportation. This is in front of a small college. There was a gentleman employed who made sure the bikes were looked after and lined up in perfect unison.


Luckily, for most of our trip we had an interpreter with us. He flew in from Shanghai to go with Trace to meetings and such. Coincindentally, he was from Oz, although he has lived in China for years. When he wasn't around, we ate food which we could identify as none of the Chinese restaurant in our area had English wording. No complaints on the language thing, as I didn't expect it, but didn't want to mistakenly order something I just wouldn't/couldn't eat and offend (and yes, IMO, there were some things that were just gross that we saw out and about)

[innit Geezer]

Without the interpreter it's KFC popcorn chicken for me too , of course it's a great opportunity to try local foods in an exotic land but I would need to know what I'm eating.

A friend of mine was in Beijing about 12 years ago and he said it was the quietest rush hour he had ever heard. Although, I imagine since the steady rapid development of capitalism in China since then, that might have changed.

Interesting thought about the greyness, I always felt that about New York too, in the middle of winter it seems everything is one shade of grey or another. It sort of wears you out and by the end of March it's enough. When the trees start to bud, it's a big moral boost.

Great pictures Deb, thanks....

[Hedo69]

In the midst of all the grey, Old China is joyful and full of life and color. The Forbidden City gives us a good picture of it. Red is definitely on the menu.


You don't see Beijing without this face!


Inside the city, there were doing training of these military gentlemen. They would sit for hours on these tiny little stools and do their studying. Keep in mind it is about 20 degrees outside.


Moving from one courtyard to the next.


The bolts one the doors are bigger than a man's fist.


The FP is surrounded by water, almost a moat. Some of it flows through the middle. In the dead of winter it was frozen solid and the trash sat on top.


Inside one of the courtyards. The Palace was massive. All walled in and protected. We were told the Emperor never slept in the same room two nights in a row. It helped prevent the assasins from tracking him down.


The real colors of China.


The scope of what they did so many years ago was incredible. Each of these carved stone heads was also a drainage spout for the level above it.


Huge brass kettles that they kept in each courtyard. They were filled with water and assigned guards who watched them for water movement. The vibrations of oncoming troops or someone digging into the palace from under would vibrate the water. Think the cup in Jurassic Park!






All of the corners of each building had these elaborate animal carvings. I am unsure of the significance, whether for protection, totem, family or what.


Royal Gardens





Are you sick of seeing China yet? I only have one more post grouping to do after this ;D

[jdmcowan]

Jul 29, 2008 17:22:07 GMT -6 Hedo69 said:

All up the wall, anywhere there was a somewhat level spot, hawkers were set up selling anything Great Wall-ish you can imagine. They were VERY persistant and would grab your arm, follow you and really push you to buy things.

I didn't realize they had Jamaicans in Beijing.

Jeremy

[Hedo69]

Jeremy, those pushy Jamaicans could learn a thing or two from these folks on persistance. The one English phrase every sales person in China knew was, "Hey, pretty lady!" It didn't matter what you looked like, it was their hook to make you look.

[Hedo69]

Another installment on Beijing. We happened upon the zoo one afternoon and decided to visit. Sometimes I love zoos and sometimes I hate them, depending upon how it is for the animals. This is the worst I've seen. The pictures still make me sad and angry. Trace asked while I was taking pictures, "Why are you taking those, this isn't pretty." I replied that sometimes it's good to record the bad too, the sad. ch-ch-changes can't be made without people knowing what's out there.






Yes, it's dogs. In a zoo, not in a loving home environment. To defend many Chinese though, we saw constant love of pets from people on the street walking and caring for their dogs. Yes, I know they eat them at times too, but seems things are ch-ch-changing. The western world is making inroads whether the government likes it or not.


More dogs


The birds were well cared for.




Lots of old fashioned manpower in place all over. No need for a tractor here with all the people.


The food in the large bird exhibit. Much more natural, but less appetizing to look at!


No spare fat in these camel's humps.


Misery loves company.


This is when we left without seeing what else there was to see.

I left with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes. With the world's eye on Beijing now, I hope that awareness will make some ch-ch-changes. It wasn't so many years ago, that zoos were somewhat like this here in the states.

Deb

[Hedo69]

Jul 29, 2008 19:32:29 GMT -6 innit Geezer said:

Without the interpreter it's KFC popcorn chicken for me too , of course it's a great opportunity to try local foods in an exotic land but I would need to know what I'm eating.

We had some wonderful local foods. My favorite thing I tried was lotus root. At one place, we had it grated, seasoned, formed into a patty and breaded and fried and at another we had it sliced and pickled. We had some delicious crispy skinned duck (why a no chicken?) at one of the most authentic duck (why a no chicken?) restaurants in the city along with 3-4 other main dishes to sample. With this, a couple bottles of wine and it all was less than $60 US. At this same restaurant, we could have had pickled duck (why a no chicken?) tongue and fried duck (why a no chicken?) feet, but we passed on that.

We ate at some of the street stalls just walking down the street. This was just me and Trace so hopefully it was just chicken . I do know we could have bought little fried baby chicken embryos 5 to a stick. I only wish I had taken pictures of that. I was very careful not to offend though. I could have some very interesting pictures but for that. We were at times the only non Chinese in sight. The people were watchful of us and seemed to be non smiling, but if I smiled first, I usually always got a big smile back.

[Hedo69]

OK, last Beijing pictures!

We had a great visit to a Buddhist Temple/Museum. The living quarters were off limits, but we did get to wander around and see all the great stone carvings. Many had been brought in from different areas and grouped here for viewing and protection.








The feet of Buddha from afar


and closeup


We climbed to the top of the building in the first picture of this grouping. These are some of the rooflines.


and looking down


a well carved tomb








The tortoises that carry the pillars that hold up the world on their backs.






A corner where all the spare carvings were piled up.

Thanks for looking guys. It was fun going through them again and sharing. I always enjoy seeing the ones you all post!

[Chicago Jake]

Wow, great pics!

I spent two weeks in southern China once (Shangai and environs) and it was the MOST FOREIGN place I had ever been. Totally fascinating, and very photogenic. Looks like you had an equally interesting voyage of discovery......Jake

[jo]

Fantastic pictures, what a great insight into some parts of China. I love your attitude when traveling, respect for your host country and its citizens are key to really enjoying a trip, IMHO.

Thanks for sharing.........Jo

[Exildo Wonsetler Briggs III]

Great Pixs, Deb! We were in China for nearly two weeks a couple of years ago and it was a great trip! I was a bit hesitant at first, but would now go back in a second. I swear you have posted some of the same pictures I took in Beijing!! ;D

The Great Wall is much more than a "stroll." Where we went a bit outside of Beijing was quite the challenge and a most difficult hike to say the least.

Thanks for the pixs!!

..........Bob