Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City

Hi again. You probably thought that there wasn't going to be a post today. I'm later than normal because we had some trouble getting the girls to sleep (in fact A is still up). More on that later. I almost didn't bother tonight, but since we're so close to the end of this trip, and I've posted every day, I didn't want to break the streak.

Today was a very busy day. We headed out at about 9:30 a.m. to go to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. It was really hot today, and we spent about 2.5 hours walking around in the heat, with no shade anywhere. I think most of the group regretted going afterwards, but I'm glad we did. It was nice to see it, and to be able to say we were there. But probably, we didn't need to spend as much time there as we did. I think I would love to go there in January through April, but the summer is just too hot. And with all the school kids on break right now, it was packed with people. So you couldn't really see much except the pack of people you were following. Anyhow, here are a couple of pictures...


















And here is a picture of DoT and I in really goofy looking hats. It was so hot here today that we purchased these hats (for 5 yuan each, which is less than $1) to keep the sun off our heads. They actually helped quite a bit. They are the only straw hats I've ever seen that fold.

We also had a group picture taken in the Square with all the families from our group. It will be a nice keepsake, and something DoT and I can use when we're trying to remember the names of all the people we've travelled with.


I also have pictures from the Forbidden City, but it is taking too long to load them and I'm eating up yuan, so I'm not posting those.

This afternoon, M and I went to the Pearl Market. We left the girls back at the hotel with DoT. I was a bit worried, because I can't imagine how I'd handle it alone with two (quite possibly screaming) babies in a small hotel room for a few hours. Turns out DoT was fine because the two slept for 95 percent of the time I was gone. I guess the heat of the morning had worn them out. Which was fine, until we tried to put them to bed tonight. Neither one was much interested in settling down. It's turning into a bit of a battle at nights to get them to sleep. And last night was the worst yet for them waking up. It wasn't just E, which it typically is, but A also had her moments last night.

However, they both were in fairly good humour today, as evidenced by these pictures taken a various points in the day. Both were hamming it up for the camera, I think...


A close up of E, at Tiananmen Square.














A back at the hotel, playing with one of our hats.













Tomorrow is a free day, although there is some shopping planned. In the morning, it is a visit to a silk manufacturing place where we can see them create the silk. And I think they are also planning to drive by the site where the Beijing Olympics will be in 2008. I wouldn't mind going, but it will depend on what time we all wake up. Given the lateness at which the girls went to sleep, I'm kind of hoping for a late morning too. In the afternoon, there is a shopping trip to another Centre planned. I may go to that, or I may head back to the Silk Market. I need to buy another suitcase to get some of this stuff home.

Thanks again, all, for the comments. I really enjoy reading them. I wish I was able to comment on them from here, but I can't seem to. But I will reply to one of them here... D -- don't worry about the lady and young man in the driveway. It is quite possible that it was our cleaning lady. She sometimes brings her son with her. And it wouldn't surprise me if she did set off the alarm.

That's it for today. Have a great day!