Day 1.5

I am now finishing the where I left off. Maybe I can even write about the exciting things that happened to me to day.

The taxi took us to Tian'anmen Square, which is surrounded by to the Forbidden City, Chairman Mao's Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution. In the Center of Tian'anmen Square is the Monument to the People's Heroes. to say that this square is big, would be correct. Let me say that again, it is big.

Our plan was to meet the friends and go see Chairman Mao's Mausoleum. As we stood there we realized that there were too many people milling around to Just find someone. We did what all of the locales seem to do, we used our cell phone. One of the friends was apparently standing next to us but we could not see her. We walked around and realized that this place was too big, we needed to be very specific where we were standing for her to find us. This worked and we used specificity for the next friend.

Now that we were all together, it was time to see Chairman Mao. We asked one of the many security/military guys that watch everything that is going on. Chairman Mao's Mausoleum is closed for building renovations. Bummer. I spent some time taking pictures of the Monument to the People's Heroes just because it looks cool.

We decided to go see the Great Hall of the People, which is where the politicians go to make laws and talk to each other. This building is huge. I have been to Washington DC and seen most of the buildings there and this building is easily twice as big as the Capital building. We could not take any bags into the building so we had to pay someone to watch the bags. There was one line to give them money. In return they give you some sticks, that you take to another line. You turn in the sticks and your bags, which they go through, and they give you a receipt for the cubby hole that they cram your stuff into.

It was a short walk to the buildings main entrance, where we went through a security check. Once we were actually in, you immediately feel small. Everything is marble and huge. The chandeliers are crazy big. The artwork might as well be a billboard it was so big. The carpet is bright red, this color of red is everywhere. I bet that they would put this color on their flag if they could. There are many rooms that correlate to the different provinces of China. These rooms are decorated with art that corresponds to the native work of the province. You cannot walk around and look at the furniture or the art work, but you can stand back and take pictures. Everything is very ornate and beautiful. As you follow the path through the building you come to a hall that looks like a concert hall. You are forced to be in the balcony but you can look downstairs and see where the important people sit. The hall is dark but impressive how big it is. Close to the end there are a couple of displays that show old pictures and the things that the politicians use. The pictures have Mao prominently displayed. They also show the making of this building.

Some interesting things started occurring on a very frequent basis to me. When we first reached Tian'anmen Square I was taking some pictures, some people came up and asked to take a picture with me. I was going to take a picture of them, but they said no and handed the camera to one of my friends. Then the couple each grabbed a hand, held it while our picture was taken. I thought this was weird, But then in the Great Hall of the People it happened three more times. I kept on checking my wallet, but it was there. I guess they have never seen someone so weird looking as me. Or maybe they think that I am Brad Pitt, yeah that is probably it.

We left the square area deciding that we should get some shopping in, and grab some food. My friends, being the gracious tour guides that they are, take me to a shopping district that is a very tight street crowded with shops. I am told to keep my backpack close. The girls see a famous silk store that they have to show me. This store opened in the first part of the 18th century and is still selling the same type of stuff. There are bolts of every type of fabric. I am asked numerous times if I want to have them make me something. I decline not wanting the silk market to suffer from the loss of that much fabric.

We then move on to a restaurant. I am determined to eat whatever is picked out for me. After I sit down I realize that I am not that hungry, I feel a little strange. I then realize that the three bottles of water that I drank are not keeping me hydrated enough. It is hot out, 35 Celsius but the sky is gray. I have a mild case of heat stroke. I try all of the food, but I did not eat very much. Most importantly I drink a huge thing of water. We then move around the shopping district just to see what is out there. What an experience.

After we finished our lunch and shopping expedition we decided to walk to the Forbidden city. It looked like it was just over there. Not true. The large picture of Mao on the wall is huge. I read that this is one of the last places that his picture is displayed so publicly. The street that runs in front of the Forbidden city is very wide and the cars fly through it. There are tunnels underneath the street that allow you to go from one side to the other. In these tunnels people try and sell you everything. I could have purchased some blob thing that you can throw on the ground, some beads, some little motorized things that flip around, the red book and all sorts of stuff. They all told me that I could come back later, when I said no.

The entrance to the Forbidden City has five bridges that go over the mote that surrounds the city. The center bridge is reserved for the Emperor and you can't walk on it. I was bummed. I really wanted to walk where only he could. Surrounding the five bridges is two totem like structures. Seeing them makes me thing of Pacific Northwest Indians. They were made in the 11Th century.

Over the bridge, we rub one of the 81 door knobs for good luck. 9 is a good number and 9x9 is even better, good enough for the emperor. Through the gate, which is a long tunnel, we enter a courtyard. It is very long and on each side are a series of small house-like structures. Asking around we found out that these are the concubines housing. Wow that dude had a lot of women. As we walk through the court yard to the next gate, I see something that I have not seen before. A mother letting her small kid, drop trousers and piss right there on the path that we are all walking. Mental note, don't step in puddles in China.

We make it though the next gate and this is when we realize that we have been walking for way too long. We also realize how big the Forbidden City is. Not that the name gives it away, but the damn place is as big as a city. We ask around and find out that we only have a couple of hours and we should come back when we have the whole day to see the place. So we walk our weary feet back to find a taxi, which takes an hour.

The taxi takes us back to my hotel and the friends all come in to check it out. We rest and recount the day. Sipping on ice cold water from my fridge. We all are tired and they all part ways, two to the subway and one via taxi. An amazing day in an incredible country. These people and their culture are impressive. I have never experienced something like this. What a gift.