China adventure

I'm a bit late in posting, but wanted to share the highlights of my trip to China. I went there with my sister, Jennie, who came to visit me in the end of February.

Our tour guide in Beijing was named Susan (her "English" name). She was very nice, but very concerned about pleasing us. Apparently, if we didn't buy expensive goods at factories (such at $1000 jade bracelet), that meant we weren't having a good time. I later learned that this is just the thought process of most tour guides in China (and they get a commission if we buy something!)

One of our first days, we went to the section of the Great Wall near Beijing. I frustrated my sister a bit when I kept telling her I just wanted to climb a little bit higher (I made it to the highest point on that section of the wall). This picture above is looking down from the top. The picture to the left is Jennie and me on our way down the Great Wall.

We also got a chance to go to Tianan-Men Square. It was a somewhat unsettling experience knowing what had happened there in 1989. It was strange to see many people flying kites in the Square.

The Forbidden City, right by Tianan-Men Square, was much larger than I expected! This is one of the knobs on the giant doors at the entrance to the city. According to legend, if you rub the door knob, you'll have many riches. I don't know if I believe this or not (or what type of "riches" you're supposed to get), but I figured it couldn't hurt!

Jennie and I also traveled to Xi'an, the city where the Terra Cotta Warriors were discovered. These life size figures were created and buried with the first Qin Emperor (about 2200 years ago). The Terra Cotta warriors were designed to guard the tomb of the Emperor and were to follow him into the afterlife. Each one was uniquely designed; no two are identical.

We also went to one of the "Markets". They are basically large buildings that look like malls from the outside. Inside they have many different vendors, separated only by the extent of their merchandise. The markets are great places for learning to barter. Ultimately you can buy items for about 1/6th of the inital asking price.

Overall, I had a great time in China. However, it was nice to see a familiar image at the Beijing Airport. It reminded me that we can choose to either focus or our differences or similarities; the choice is ours.