China: Day 3

1:40PM
This must be how Dion felt in Taiwan. Everyone wants a picture with me. People even hand me their babies!
Today was another fun day. I woke up to another yummy breakfast at about 7:30. I swiped some fruit from the bar for lunch (I might have money now, but not that much) and headed for the metro station. My hotel is about 2 miles from the station so it wasn’t a little hike. I was a little concerned about figuring out the metro but thankfully it’s even easier than Taiwan. Interesting side note is the advertisements here. As the train moves, ads race along next to the train. Marketing at a whole new level-nifty!
After a 45 min ride across Beijing I arrived at the exit for the Summer Palace. I’m glad I saved all morning for it because that place is huge! There was music and people dancing and singing. Check out the video clip on Flickr. I found it funny that there were signs warning you about the hills…it was actually a mountain. Once you get to the top you can go left, right or straight to see all the different parts of the palace. There is a sea temple, Tower of Buddhist incense, museum (no pictures allowed), garden of harmony and virtue, and lots of seaside shops. The views make the climb worth it.
After walking uphill for several hours I finally started to head back for the hotel. I was so tired I fell asleep on the metro and managed to wake up with just enough time to hop off. Trying to cross the road was an interesting feat. It doesn’t matter what color the walk signs are because cars are still racing though the intersection. The point where I needed to cross didn’t allow people to pass, only bikes. It took me a while to figure out there was a tunnel down the road you had to go under.
Several people started talking with me as I walked. One was a student studying English and we chatted for about a mile. The other was an artist who was going to New York in a month to set up a studio. His workshop was on the way to the hotel so we went over to look at his work. It was neat because tourists are not allowed in the old residential areas unless invited. He told me that this section of buildings was nearly 600 years old. His work was actually very good. He showed me that they usually sell for 800RMB and offered me one for 100RMB since I had brought good fortune to his shop before he traveled to New York. I’m sure it was flattery, but it was a good deal compared to the others I had seen so I got a horse scroll for Mandi and one of the Great Wall for myself.
The rickshaw people are crazy here. I had one follow me down the street offering me a ride. They don’t understand the word no until you snap at them to go away.
Another thing I’m not used to are all the soldiers everywhere. Pretty much anywhere you go you will see them. At the airport we were warned that foreigners must have a passport with them at all times in case of a random inspection. If you do not then there will be penalties…comforting.
I just got back to the hotel and plan on taking a little nap. The concierge downstairs just called and told me that my ticket for the Chinese opera tonight had to be rebooked. Looks like I’m going Thursday night. Humm, that changes my plans a bit. Maybe I will use this afternoon as a free night to check out the hotel. Or sleep.

7:30PM
What a wonderful nap! I just got back from a tasty dinner of lobster tail noodles with green tea tiramisu. I liked the jasmine tea so much at the tea house I got it again-not as good here. To mix things up a bit I climbed onto the roof for dinner and had a wonderful view of the Forbidden City. Great way to end the day! Now for a shower, Skype home, and some chill time.