The Water Cube and Bird's Nest

McDonald's - a little bit of home

Tian'anmem Square

Mr. South tries out for the acrobat show. That spear was sharp against my neck!

Today we visited Tien'anmen Square, a very important and historic gathering place in Beijing. This place was the site of a massive pro-democracy protest in China back in 1989. Ask Mr. Ridener about it, sit back, and hear the tale...

From the Square, we went across the street to The Forbidden City (which isn't forbidden anymore). To say it was incredible would be an understatement. The place was ENORMOUS. Originally built with 9999 rooms, (the number 9 is very lucky in China) some rooms have been since destroyed (down to 7000 or so). Here is where the Emperor of China would stay along with certain high-ranking officials. The buildings kept going on and on. Mrs. South was a bit of a celebrity! People wanted to get a picture taken with her. Her Blond hair is a curiosity over here due to all of the jet black hair of the Chinese.

In the evening, we were taken to the Olympic village to see the Bird's Nest stadium and the "Water Cube" were Michael Phelps won his 8 gold medals. Later on, we watched a show given by a troop of Chinese acrobats. As you can see by the picture above, I did audition for the show by suspending myself in mid-air with a sharp spear pointed at my neck. I didn't get the part so I guess they didn't see my natural talent.

Traffic in China makes your blood pressure sky-rocket! It seems as if there is a complete disregard of signals and right-of way. A steady barrage of beeping horns. Somehow it all seems to flow as cars come within inches of each other, bicycles, and pedestrians. Amazing...

Off to the Great Wall tomorrow.!