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Good-bye to Shanghai. It's a beautiful city and I will return again one day to explore it more. There was so much to see that 2 days was not enough to soak in the city!
Rafael and May constantly mention how much this country has changed! In particular people's attitude toward cleanliness. Rafael said when he was here in 1994 people would eat food and just throw the bones or garbage onto the floor. Nobody does this anymore, and there are cleaners everywhere constantly scrubbing and sweeping the floors.
We took the Bullet train to Nanjing (one of China's 3 furnaces). When got off the train, the humidity hits you like a brick wall. My clothes stuck to me like a wet blanket, I was dripping sweat carrying luggage to the check-in counter at the train station. I've been told humidity adds weight to your luggage, it must have added 20lbs to mine. I must have sweated off 5lbs!
Nanjing was the capital city during the Ming Dynasty (ad 1368-1644), the capital of the Republic of China (1911-1937) and now capital of Jiangsu Province.
Our first stop was to Sun Yat-Sen mausoleum. It's become a Mecca for many Chinese who want to pay their respect to the founder of modern China.
It's a beautiful site, I can see why he wanted to be buried here. You need to climb 392 steps (lost count after 88) to reach the marble statue os Sun Yat-Sun. I felt like Rocky when i reached the top ... I even did a little Rocky dance.
Did I mention how friggin' humid it was in Nanjing? Special thanks to the people who invented dry fit clothes! I broke down and purchased a hand fan (my cheesy tourist souvenir) when we came down from the mausoleum.
Next stop was Presidential Palace. During the bus ride to this next destination it began to rain (thunder and lightning) .. It came down like buckets, we were soaked getting off the bus to the ticket office. I am still wringing the water from my socks and runners.
Presidential Palace was the site of several historical events in China. It was the seat of government and it has hosted important events and personalities in Nanjing's history. When you walk into the palace it display's, "Tian Xia Wei Gong" which translates to, "The world belongs to all".
Do you know that a pair of lions standing outside an entrance of a palace, temple, or bank represents status and natural order? A female lion statue has a cub beneath her feet whereas a male has the world beneath his. Everywhere I go, I try to find the male and female lions ... I've taken a few pictures.
Kyle tried the hot and spicy fish chips (taste like BBQ) and drank it with watermelon flavored pop. I guess that combination can only be enjoyed by a 14 year old. Next flavor is shrimp.
If I knew I was going to squat so much, I would have went to more yoga & kettlebell classes. I'm definitely a "CBC - Canadian Born Chinese".
Tianjin is our next stop ...
PS- It's Wednesday night, little Parker did you catch the kiss I blew to you?
- comments
Parker tam Caught it! Miss you aunt June. Remember, football jerseys ANC mommy likes purses.
Parker tam Caught it! Miss you aunt June. Remember, football jerseys ANC mommy likes purses.
Glen Clarke Hey June, Rocky dance, is that the same dance you do when you make a birdie?? Sounds like you are having a great time, Elene and I really enjoy your Blog!!!
Eve Rawlick Hi June and all: Love the pictures and write ups. Eagerily waiting for Aug. 11 and 12 Blogs. . Everyday enhances my morning coffee. Eve.