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downtown, Singapore
Since this site is currently driving me nuts trying to figure out how to work it, I am going to cut this short! I already typed one long entry only to lose it, so I will hit the hightlights before I crash into bed...
The airplane rides were uneventful (if you discount a little airsickness from one group member)...but LONG!
Our first day in Beijing basically was arriving at the airport, getting to the hotel, eating a great dinner family style in the restaurant and collapsing into bed!
Our second day, today, was a bit more adventurous! We started with a tour of the Summer Palace, which was great, but very crowded and it was so humid that the sweat was pouring off of us. Good thing the sun wasn't out today! However, we did end our tour by taking a dragon boat ride across the freshwater lake there!
We then learned about cultivating pearls, learning how to tell fake pearls, and buying pearls! After a buffet lunch, we drove to the Great Wall.
I learned a very important thing about the Great Wall. You see, I had this vision of leisurely strolling along the sections of the wall and contemplating the amazing scenery and the history of the place. Well, the thing I ended up contemplating on was how I was going to make it to the top up the steep grades and what I am sure was thousands of steps. Somehow, I did and the picture with this journal proves it! It was beautiful and I loved it, but my legs still feel like jelly!
After our CLIMB on the Great Wall (and I have the t-shirt to prove that it is a climb!), we drove back to the city and visited the Olympic village. Then, we went for a rickshaw ride through a thunderstorm to eat dinner at a local family's house. You haven't lived until you have had this crazy experience, and we are glad that we survived it. Those guys are nutty and fearless, but it was great fun!
We have another long day tomorrow, so I will try to write again when I can!
- comments
Janice Schaefer I sent you an e-mail through Facebook, but not isure if you will get it. Glad you are having a good time. I am not suire I could have made it up all those stairs to the Great Wall! Tell Julie hi too - we miss you and love you both very much. Love, me
Michelle Beekman Seriously... what's with you and long, agonizing stair climbs? I'm starting to recognize a trend. :) Hope you guys are having fun! Can't wait for more posts! By the way - I got your text and I'm excited!