Beijing...

Wednesday, August 29 morning. Some blue,, some smog.

What at day!!! Gad it was non-stop until we hit the big, wide, clean, fluffy, fresh-linen bed at 10:00  PM.

The train ride in was exciting, exciting because we were going to soon get off it! We arrived in Beijing at 2:30 PM, got off and the crowds  were, to me, intimidating. The two block walk to our mini-bus was through throngs  of people, many of whom looked like us as if we were aliens. And aliens we are as Beijing is full of country-folk making a trip to the Big City. Many, many of these folks have never seen a white person. Hard to believe but true.

We did a tour of the temple of heaven then a stop somewhere else which I cannot now even remember. Back to check into this Big Wonderful Clean Marvellous Hotel where we unpacked and indulged in a luxurious shower and shed all our travel clothes in exchange for lease-travelled clothes! Laundry going in today.

Next was a walking tour to a Night Market type of thing. I have never been in such a crowd of foreigners. It was like a crowded elevator, 20 feet wide and 800 feet long, shuffling in two directions. The foods on offer were beyond anything at home.

I saw everything from baby coiled up snakes, crickets, cocoons, scorpions as well as lovely fruits and what I think was ice cream sundaes.

The crowd was youngish, families and very friendly and jovial. However, out of my comfort zone. Next was a tour of a few of the big important, illuminated buildings before back to the hotel where many of us hunkered in the safety of the dining room that was almost empty.

This morning we are off on tour again, to the Great Wall.

Off the train into a blur of people.

Walking to the safety of our bus.

This girl wanted too practice her English on us.

Sightseeing.

Proof we are alive.

Tea house.

Sundae?

Potato chips!

Scorpions. Alive, cooked to order!

Grubs and things...

The throng.

The Holy Grail in Beijing.