China (Day 9)

Today was our last day in China, and the plan was to visit a few historical sites, complete the last minute shopping (not that we have room for any shopping in our luggage), and back to our room for packing & a good night sleep. Our first visit was to Tian'anmen Square to fly a kite. I have always loved flying a kite so I jumped at this opportunity. Next to me was a guy flying a kite that looked like a hawk. Instead of the normal string & holder used to fly a kite, he had a wheel of some sort. He could make the hawk do all kinds of things; through his skill, it flew in a life-like manner (I wasn't able to capture his kite in flight - too fancy)

We then walked through the square to the Forbidden City. Gloria and I were jealous of the fact that the F.C. has 9,999 rooms (not that we would want to clean them or anything like that). The Chinese believe the number 9 is lucky and the numeral 9,999 sounds like everlasting in Chinese; it seems like there was another reason for 9,999 but I can't remember right now. At one time there were approximately 70,000 eunuchs; 100+ concubines; 9,000 female attendants; plus the emperor and his wife ~ that's a lot of people in one place...

Picture of the Harmony Garden deep inside the F.C. walls.

This is where Gloria & I are going to need to spend more time :-)

We took a Petty Cab ride to the Bell Tower, but made a "pit-stop" on Beer Alley.

notice the Budweiser sign - I thought that was so weird to see in China...

not that I thought a "Coors Light" sign was any less weird...

While David & I climbed to the top of the Bell Tower, Gloria did some shopping in the gift shop. The tower has 75 very, very steep steps (not the standard size step we have in the US). I practically ran up them because I knew if I stopped I would never finish it. When I got to the top David said that was the fastest he had ever made it to the top of the tower. He asked me if I were an athlete - I just laughed & thought to myself, did you not notice the fat jiggling while we were going up the stairs :-)

After enjoying a tea ceremony at the Bell Tower, Gloria & I were back to the Pearl Market for that last minute shopping and then Pizza Hut for dinner (I know, it is our last night in China but we have had Chinese food almost every day - plus we did have it for lunch), and then back to the hotel to pack. We have packed everything & as long as no one opens our suitcases, we have it all in :-)

Now, we are off to bed for a good nights sleep before our 20 hour journey to get home. I cannot wait to get home & see my family!!!!!!!!