Beijing
Where to start, where to start…
On the flight to Beijing touch down, the pilot told us–visibility to due to pollution is 4 km. Yes, it is polluted here, however, the city is very clean.
Our backs are killing us as the beds are so hard. Welcome to China.
Yesterday was Day 1 of our tour and I’m sick as a dog. I think it was the plane food. I had an allergic reaction to something and was rough. OF COURSE, I felt horrible on the day we trekked up the Great Wall of China which was incredible and we have fantastic pictures.
Kitty and The Germ
The Great Wall
The Great Wall
The Great Wall
The Great Wall
The Great Wall
I am really surprised that Beijing beat out Toronto for the Olympics. They did a great job, but there are a few things that would have made me vote for YYZ.
First–toilet paper. Really? You have to carry it around in your purse or you are out of luck. Second–soap in a bathroom. For all the screening and forms we had to fill out about H1N1 virus, you would think the public health would be a bit more up to par. I have not been pleased.
The Great Wall was indeed great. I was worse for wear but managed to walk it. There were moments of it being vertical.
Today we went to Tiananmen Square. Interestingly, no one here has any idea about what happened. No one in China has ever seen the images of tanks rolling over students.
Military presence is EVERYWHERE and in every form. Imagine every uniform you can think of, and you’ll see it here.
Also, NO Facebook. I have the application on my BB so I kind of got around it, but the government has banned it. Of course, there is no YouTube. Yep, kitty and the germ have been CENSORED!
Here are a few details about Beijing so far…
1) babies don’t wear diapers. They have a slit in their pants, they shit on the street and hopefully their parents pick it up. I saw a man today bag shit just like you would your dog.
2) cars don’t stop for pedestrians or obey the traffic lights
3) it is crowded!
4) people smoke a lot less than what we were expecting. I heard it was super smoky, but it hasn’t been.
5) taxis are cheap cheap cheap
6) The birds nest and the Olympic stadiums were just awesome. We took a million pictures, were amazed at the architecture, had a great time
Bird’s Nest
It’s BIG
Olympic Mascots
7) The forbidden city was huge and very impressive
Forbidden City
Inside the Forbidden City
Lovely
8) I am a tourist attraction here. People are wanting to be photographed with me. Marc has a few hilarious pictures, but since we are being censored, we can’t post until later
Tourist Attraction
9) on our group tour, we are traveling the shortest amount of time. A year, 7 months, Euros are traveling machines
10) We saw the MOST amazing Kung Fu show last night. We had seen small portions of their act on the world dance competition. Fights, ballet, artistry–awesomeness
Us with the cast of the Kung Fu Show
So–We are being censored (not anymore) and can’t include pictures. More to come shortly. Off to Shanghai tomorrow.
October 5th, 2009 at 17:14
All Olympic host cities should have toilet paper in their bathrooms. I can’t get over the fact that they don’t have diapers, gross! My friend Paula has white-blonde hair and she was mobbed in China. The locals were fascinated.
October 5th, 2009 at 23:09
Hi Catherine & Marc
Glad to hear you are having a great time! No soap or TP wow, that’s a little shocking. We are all getting together this weekend so it should be lots of fun. Take care of each other Ang
October 26th, 2009 at 19:38
[…] finally got around to posting some more photos! Yay. Check out the Bejing […]
October 27th, 2009 at 16:02
oh, catherine, the pics are great!
jess and i were cracking up at the pics of you posing with the locals.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:54
great pictures. Finally found them. In Peru we didn’t have TP either, ladies standing at ladies room entrance would hand out one (1!!!!) sheet per person…luckily we had wipes along (tip from Peruvian neighbor…). Loved seeing you as a tourist attraction….great. Love from Chicago
October 28th, 2009 at 13:36
Hey Catherine!! the pics look great. You ‘re so lucky to have such a great husband to take you on an amazing honeymoon! lol.
I’m so jealous that you’re travelling to Cambodia :( I can’t wait to see your pictures from there. Make sure you visit Angkor Wat..
<3 Run
October 28th, 2009 at 22:04
We just love traveling with you from the comfort of our computer chair. What an awsome gift (sharng your trip this way) Looking forward to the next lap! Love Auntie Pat and Uncle Wayne xoxo
November 3rd, 2009 at 00:54
So happy to see you alive and grateful forever that you did not go on this air ballon trip… Mothers like their kids to be safe. On the other hand I am in awe following the incredible sites you get to go. How wonderful for you. My heart is travelling with you all the time. Enjoy!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 21:54
I’m so glad you guys are having such a great time! Your tourist attractions pics are hilarious!
November 6th, 2009 at 16:25
Hey guys, Love the pics and hearing the updates on your amazing journey!! Sounds like a blast. Post more pics soon. XOxo kel, Derek and Reed.
PS cat- I ran into Sarah at starbucks today.