Everyone, this was an absolutely wonderful city. I say that after the 13.5 hour flight to get here.

We are staying at the Shagri-La Beijing. The hotel is absolutely beautiful. The rooms and service unmatched by anything I've ever seen. I have millions of pictures. The day started with a buffet breakfast out of this world. If I could remember, I think the restaurant had about 6 huge serving stations. I do mean huge. They had both Chinese breakfast food and American breakfast food, alternately and perfectly arranged in the restaurant.

We started in Tianan 'men Square. A very, very historical place. Our guide, Joy, asked if we not ask her questions regarding the demonstrations that had taken place years ago, as it is a very personal experience for the people of Beijing. The weather was absolutely perfect.

As soon as we got off the tour bus, we were literally attacked by people trying to sell stuff. And I mean all kinds of stuff, including a lot of junk. Joy, took us on a walk through the square. We started at the 1st bank of China which was built in 1920. Then on past the Historical Museum. We then strolled by the Congress Building.

We then headed over to have a picture taken in front of Chairman Tsao's Masoleum. The people put our group picture in a souveneir book, which was really nice. Of course, I look crazy. We headed on into the Forbidden City, passing the Office Building.

The tour was very extensive and well worth the time. We all had a wonderful time joking all the way. The hot topic was "concubines." Fragrant concubines and we laughed hysterically at the term "low rent concubine." A few of the girls said they'd take that term back to the states. Instead of calling some women a w---e, they'd call them a "low rent concubine." We had a good time talking about how could the Emperor service 300 concubines. But Joy corrected us of course, telling us that not all of them were used for sex. Some could sing, soem could paint, etc. We still laughed uncontrollably and we even said that Joy was probably calling us "low rent concubines."

This was also an extraordinary day, in that, we were the objects of interest. At first, I noticed people, especially women, mingling around behind me. Then I caught on. They weren't quite sure if we'd allow them to take pictures of us, so they tried to do it slyly. Once I waved my hand to tell the women to come on. They converged on me like bees to honey. I was surrounded by all these little Chinese women. They had their arms around my waist, some climbed on things behind me to put their arms around my shoulders. In a way it nice as I couldn't believe these people didn't have issues with touching me. But I realized many of these people have not actually seen African-Americans in person. There's also a guy in our group who has to be about 6"6' and the Chinese men were all in awe of his feet. I don't know what size he wears but his feet are big. Some of the Chinese men thought he was a basketball player. After a while, Joy had to shoo the people away as she was becoming very annoyed with them. They were all talking so loudly trying to get pictures, she could not hear herself talking.

We headed on in further, still with a lot of stares and amazement.

Lunch was absolutely wonderful. We were taken to a restaurant. I'll fill in the name later. The meal was served family style (huge lazy susans). The food was delicious.

We then headed on to the shores of Kunming Lake to visit the Summer Palace. This was miles and miles of walking. This was also very beautiful. Though nothing is green, I could picture in my mind, how beautiful it would be in the summer. We took lots of pictures. Again, we were the objects of interest. People would be walking in front of Bernice and I and all of a sudden, the women would drop back. The men would then turn around and flip open the camera phones. I'd grab Bernice, who didn't see this operation and I'd tell her, just wave. " She'd say, "wave?" Then when she see the women walk up to either side of us, she'd say, "oooooooo." After the pictures we caught up to our group who wondered where we'd disappeared. Then we walked on through the gardens and bridges built by the eccentric Empress Dowager Chi Xi. We completed this part of the tour and we were taken on to the Pearl Market. No one was buying pearls and we had to sit through an entire pearl presentation. We waited for our driver, whose name was John. Nowhere to be found. The sun was going down and it was getting dark. Finally, everyone came out and we headed on to our Peking Duck Dinner. I loved all of the food with the exception of the duck. The presentation is absolutely wonderful.

We were all extremely tired. Joy had walked us to death.

My total walking for this day was 10.2 miles.

Marcella and I had retired early as we had another whole day of walking ahead of us.

Again, the breakfast was wonderful on Thursday. We also had great weather. We started our day at "The Great Wall." This was an experience I will never forget. Marcella, Jeanette, Oswald and I climbed as far as each of us could. We took lots and loads of pictures. We bought a few souveniers. Everyone was a bit disappointed that we couldn't do any real shopping. We thought that the tourguide was only allowed to take us certain places. By the time we get to the hotel at night, we're exhausted.

After spending some time there, we headed throught the city to the Ming Tombs which were built for the 13 Ming Emperors of the Ching Dynasty. Marcella, Oswald, Ellen, Lauren and I wanted to see this. Joy purchased the tickets and we headed in. She warned us before getting off the bus, "do not talk to the vendors here. They are not only pickpockets." I said to myself, "hmmmmmmm." We headed on in and this was an extremely long walk also. The driver had pulled aorund to the exit and was waiting for us. We'd taken tons of pictures. It was getting very late and on the way back to the hotel, we saw a group of 5 Olympic bicyclists ride by. The further we came back into the city, we finally got a chance to take pictures of the "Bird's Nest." That's where the opening ceremonies will be held for the Olympics. Then we finally headed on in to our hotel.

We were very tired again, but got cleaned up to go to the Chinese Opera. I enjoyed this also, though there was an Asian guy in front of me who fell asleep and started snoring. The other patrons turned around and gave him the evil eye. I think he knew it, because he woke up just at that moment. I was about to start coughing (still have a bit of a cold), so I darted out for a moment. As soon as I left the ladies room, the show was letting out. Oh well!

Beijing was an absolutely great experience. The people are extrememly friendly and go out of their way to please. Everyone should take this trip at least once in their lifetime.