Leaving Beijing

Before going to the Great Wall on Sunday, I went for a walk by myself to a city park that Aileen, my "China Helper" had recommended. Just north of the Forbidden City with a big hill overlooking the city. Sunday was great weather and the park was packed with Chinese locals doing every possible activity that might be done - tai chi, western dance lessons, singing, badminton, playing cards, that rhythmic dance thing with the big ribbon, and more. Old, young, and in-between. I spent about 1-½ hours there and did not see one westerner among the thousands of visitors. It was pretty cool. On that subject, I think I was expecting more westerners around town, but maybe they are holding off until closer to the start of the Olympics. I nearly had the city to myself.

Monday in Beijing was spent in intermittent rain with Aileen, visits to Tiananmin Square-packed with Chinese visitors, National Theater (The Egg), Forbidden City, also packed with Chinese visitors and an amazing series of temples, official building, courtyards, and royal residence buildings. 9,999 rooms it is said - one short of the god's perfect number of 10,000. Then a long taxi (with roof light that says "taxi") ride to Olympic Park to try to see some of the new construction - Birds Nest and Water Cube, etc. Good idea but it was not to be - the area is cordoned off by metal fencing with guards every 50 yards. That didn't stop the area from being packed with, yes, Chinese visitors who were taking pictures of kids up against the fence with the buildings in the haze a quarter mile away. Disappointing. After that, Aileen kinda forced me into going to see the Chinese Acrobat show. I was initially reluctant, but I was blown away - had to buy the DVD after the show.