Wednesday, April 28, 2010
We try to see as much as possible, but in the end there is only time
for two more of Steve's highlights. Once again, we are not
disappointed.
SUMMER PALACE
This is a huge park that was the Royal Family retreat. The
scale of the place is grand and the architecture is remarkable, but once
again I think the people are the stars of the visit. It is popular for
all sorts of Beijing
folks and today seems to be a big day for school field trips. Great
flocks of yellow baseball hats and much youthful excitement. The future
of the New China is everywhere. Posing for class photos, they yell
"Eggplant!" in Chinese and show the v-victory sign.
We see that pose all over China when pictures are taken.
Older visitors stroll the grounds, and rest for the views. The climb up
to the high temple is worth the effort - the crowd thins out a bit and
is a little more subdued.
LAMA TEMPLE
China shows its tolerance for religion by supporting the
large Yonghegong Lamsery. Inside, worshipers of Tibetan Buddhism mingle
with foreign visitors. The street outside is bustling with merchants
hawking incense and religious trinkets. The atmosphere is more subdued
inside the grounds and we wander from one temple structure to the next.
One older worshiper, with incense offering in hand, chats on her cell
phone as she makes her way between temples. I am respectful of the
worshipers, but I do sneak a picture or two so that I remember.
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