First Full Day in China
Day 3 was full of numerous observations. Traffic is INSANE. Trucks, buses, cars, rickshaws, bikers, pedestrians all share the same space. Observing traffic signals is not always common practice, everyone just keeps driving and will run anyone over in their way. The pollution in Beijing is everywhere, the air is not pleasant. The lack of dental and medical care over the years is painfully obvious. Tons of people trying to sell you a "Rolex", "Gucci" bag, postcards, dragons, Olympic tees and hats, etc. They'll just grab your arm and keep trying to sell things to you. Even a few women with babies in their arm that try to push their baby onto you.
First stop in our busy day was at Tiananmen Square. We saw the Olympic Countdown Clock and were then on our way through the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is enormous and it was amazing to see how much time was spent during construction and in adding all the details of Chinese architecture.
Lunch was down the street from our hotel - the start of eating random foods where you are not always sure what they are. I won the prize for eating the most liver dumplings or something like that. The meal including Pepsi came out to the equivalent of about $12 for 6 of us and there was probably enough food for 12-15 of us.
The afternoon took us to the Summer Palace. More of the same as far as the quantity of detailed architecture.
We went to the NBA Jam Van late afternoon. Interesting to see all the Chinese were most interested in some boring games that weren't even fun enough to have at a local carnival. Worked out for our group though since that left the one-on-one pop-a-shot open. We are thinking they loved the boring games because of free giveaways. I missed the best photo op of the trip thus far. The Toronto Raptors mascot was jogging to a van after performing and was being escorted by a handful of police officers - a red dinosaur chased by Chinese police officers - hilarious.
Drove by construction of The Cube and The Nest (aquatic center and Olympic stadium) - two of the most unique buildings you've ever seen. Also stopped at a silk factory...pretty interesting to see what they can do with cocoons. I bought a silk tie there with Chinese characters...I'm sure it says something about being a stupid American who bought a tie.
Dinner was at the night market. The strange foods were things you never would have imagined...starfish on a stick, dog testicles, not sure what the other stuff was. Good thing is that is was just as cheap as the lunch food.
First stop in our busy day was at Tiananmen Square. We saw the Olympic Countdown Clock and were then on our way through the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is enormous and it was amazing to see how much time was spent during construction and in adding all the details of Chinese architecture.
Lunch was down the street from our hotel - the start of eating random foods where you are not always sure what they are. I won the prize for eating the most liver dumplings or something like that. The meal including Pepsi came out to the equivalent of about $12 for 6 of us and there was probably enough food for 12-15 of us.
The afternoon took us to the Summer Palace. More of the same as far as the quantity of detailed architecture.
We went to the NBA Jam Van late afternoon. Interesting to see all the Chinese were most interested in some boring games that weren't even fun enough to have at a local carnival. Worked out for our group though since that left the one-on-one pop-a-shot open. We are thinking they loved the boring games because of free giveaways. I missed the best photo op of the trip thus far. The Toronto Raptors mascot was jogging to a van after performing and was being escorted by a handful of police officers - a red dinosaur chased by Chinese police officers - hilarious.
Drove by construction of The Cube and The Nest (aquatic center and Olympic stadium) - two of the most unique buildings you've ever seen. Also stopped at a silk factory...pretty interesting to see what they can do with cocoons. I bought a silk tie there with Chinese characters...I'm sure it says something about being a stupid American who bought a tie.
Dinner was at the night market. The strange foods were things you never would have imagined...starfish on a stick, dog testicles, not sure what the other stuff was. Good thing is that is was just as cheap as the lunch food.
posted by Brian Cole at
3:33 AM
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