We are having technical difficulties updating and posting to the blog in China hopefully we will be up and running soon??? If not we will have to go to Plan B.
Stay Tuned...
27 April 2011
26 April 2011
Day 3 - Tiananmen Square
April 26, 2011
I think we can some up our activities on day 3 as: overwhelming, vast, amazing, and constant "paparazzi". Even though Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City were extremely crowded, we still stood out in the crowd. We try to oblige as much as possible, as the Chinese curiosity is well intentioned, but at one point, when Seneca fell asleep in the sling, we needed to cover her so she could sleep in peace. Ironically, none of these photos accurately illustrate the hoards of people in the square!
I think we can some up our activities on day 3 as: overwhelming, vast, amazing, and constant "paparazzi". Even though Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City were extremely crowded, we still stood out in the crowd. We try to oblige as much as possible, as the Chinese curiosity is well intentioned, but at one point, when Seneca fell asleep in the sling, we needed to cover her so she could sleep in peace. Ironically, none of these photos accurately illustrate the hoards of people in the square!
25 April 2011
Day 2 - first encounter with the "papparazzi"
April 25, 2011
It turns out that Seneca is a celebrity here in China. Who knew? The very first place we visited on the morning of our arrival, the Temple of Heaven, we encountered our first mob of curious Chinese people. They are utterly fascinated by her. We haven't really seen many other western kids her age here, but I think her hair is attracting the most attention. They are all nice, but maybe a bit intrusive. Everyone asks for a photo with her and wants to touch and hold her. She has been handling it as well as she can - but clearly gets nervous when people get too close. Now we know what it is like to be followed by the papparazzi.
It turns out that Seneca is a celebrity here in China. Who knew? The very first place we visited on the morning of our arrival, the Temple of Heaven, we encountered our first mob of curious Chinese people. They are utterly fascinated by her. We haven't really seen many other western kids her age here, but I think her hair is attracting the most attention. They are all nice, but maybe a bit intrusive. Everyone asks for a photo with her and wants to touch and hold her. She has been handling it as well as she can - but clearly gets nervous when people get too close. Now we know what it is like to be followed by the papparazzi.
Day 2 - the park at the Temple of Heaven
April 25, 2011
The Temple of Heaven is surrounded by some beautiful grounds that are open to the public. During the week, this area is heavily used by retired locals. In China, people are required to retire at age 50. With the huge population in china, this ensures that the younger people have some opportunities at jobs as well. Obviously, this means that there are a lot of retired Chinese people that still have a lot time and energy.
Most retired Chinese help raise their grandchildren. However, with the one child policy, there are definitely fewer children to care for. Many people spend their days in the parks participating in activities such as Tai Chi, badminton, dance and other forms of exercise. There are also groups that meet regularly to play cards and mah jongg and these games can get very animated! We were impressed by the number of people in the park and how many were participating in activities, especially the physical activities. This is something we don't see as often in the US.
In this photo: I think they are doing some form of Tai Chi
In this photo: between each pillar, there is a vigorous card or mah jongg game going on!
In this photo: Seneca joins the ladies during their "scarf" dancing. She was a big hit and had several of the ladies giggling (and then getting distracted and missing their steps)
The Temple of Heaven is surrounded by some beautiful grounds that are open to the public. During the week, this area is heavily used by retired locals. In China, people are required to retire at age 50. With the huge population in china, this ensures that the younger people have some opportunities at jobs as well. Obviously, this means that there are a lot of retired Chinese people that still have a lot time and energy.
Most retired Chinese help raise their grandchildren. However, with the one child policy, there are definitely fewer children to care for. Many people spend their days in the parks participating in activities such as Tai Chi, badminton, dance and other forms of exercise. There are also groups that meet regularly to play cards and mah jongg and these games can get very animated! We were impressed by the number of people in the park and how many were participating in activities, especially the physical activities. This is something we don't see as often in the US.
In this photo: I think they are doing some form of Tai Chi
In this photo: between each pillar, there is a vigorous card or mah jongg game going on!
In this photo: Seneca joins the ladies during their "scarf" dancing. She was a big hit and had several of the ladies giggling (and then getting distracted and missing their steps)
Day 2 - the Temple of Heaven
April 25, 2011
Our first stop on the Beijing tour was the Temple of Heaven, built by one of the chinese emperors whose name and dynasty escape me right now. We did not bring a guidebook and I did not take notes, so please forgive my lack of facts and information on occasion... (I will come back and fill in some gaps when I get back to the US).
You will see a photo below of Seneca with our guide, Christina.
Our first stop on the Beijing tour was the Temple of Heaven, built by one of the chinese emperors whose name and dynasty escape me right now. We did not bring a guidebook and I did not take notes, so please forgive my lack of facts and information on occasion... (I will come back and fill in some gaps when I get back to the US).
You will see a photo below of Seneca with our guide, Christina.
24 April 2011
Day 1 - fly to Beijing
April 24, 2011
Our flight to Beijing left LAX at 1:40am early Sunday morning. We had been keeping Seneca awake late for the last three nights in the hopes that it would help her with the transition to china time (15 hr difference). She did well staying up until 1am the first night, midnight the second, and @1:30am on the night of the flight. She was a trooper.
The flight was good. It arrived early. Everyone got a chance to sleep on the 12+ hour flight - Seneca probably slept 8-9 hrs of the flight.
We had arranged for a guide in Beijing, and she met us at the airport @ 5:30am. Her name is Christina - she picked this name herself because she likes christina aguilera. It is common in china for people to adopt a western style name. Christina is wonderful, full of information, and extremely helpful and friendly. Seneca took to her very quickly and they walked hand in hand several times during the day.
We were able to check into our hotel immediately. We had a chance to freshen up after the long flight and eat some breakfast before meeting up with Christina and our driver, Mr. Huang for a visit to the Temple of Heaven.
Our flight to Beijing left LAX at 1:40am early Sunday morning. We had been keeping Seneca awake late for the last three nights in the hopes that it would help her with the transition to china time (15 hr difference). She did well staying up until 1am the first night, midnight the second, and @1:30am on the night of the flight. She was a trooper.
The flight was good. It arrived early. Everyone got a chance to sleep on the 12+ hour flight - Seneca probably slept 8-9 hrs of the flight.
We had arranged for a guide in Beijing, and she met us at the airport @ 5:30am. Her name is Christina - she picked this name herself because she likes christina aguilera. It is common in china for people to adopt a western style name. Christina is wonderful, full of information, and extremely helpful and friendly. Seneca took to her very quickly and they walked hand in hand several times during the day.
We were able to check into our hotel immediately. We had a chance to freshen up after the long flight and eat some breakfast before meeting up with Christina and our driver, Mr. Huang for a visit to the Temple of Heaven.
23 April 2011
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