Then we happen to discover that Centro, the bar in the lobby, is open 24/7 and serves coffee so here we are at 5:00 am.
Breakfast at 6 am in Kerry's Kitchen -- the breakfast buffet is the most comprehensive I have ever seen. I try several Chinese selections -- just experimenting -- some good and some not so much.
At 7:15 am we meet our group in the lobby for the hour-long drive to the Great Wall with Jimmie -- our Tour Escort. Jimmie will take care of 32 of us all the way to Hong Kong. Jimmie's assistant is Ray and our driver is John. Most Chinese guides take American names because it is easier for us to remember. During the trip Jimmie gives us some facts about China -- don't drink tap water -- currency -- safety -- the loo -- etc. He also gives us a history lesson of how the Great Wall came to be and the various dynasties that ruled China over the past 2,000+ years.
Arriving at the North Entrance to the Great Wall -- we walk through an area with shops and restaurants arriving at the Friendship Shop which Jimmie recommnends because it is large, run by the government and the bathrooms have "western-style" toilets. It is very cold here -- so Phil needs to buy a fleece jacket since he is ill-prepared for this weather.
The Great Wall is one of those things that you must see if you are in China -- but it is definitely a tourist trap. It is awe-inspiring to see the wall wind its way across the mountains -- and think of the people who built this wall over 2,000 years ago. This area is very cold in winter and very hot in summer -- there are no records of how many workers died but I imagine the number would be staggering.
We lasted on the wall for about thirty minutes -- between Phil's fear of heights and the cold -- we had enough. Back at the Friendship Store we had coffee and a look around at the merchandise and antiquities -- the place is enormous. On the way I purchased a pair of coral-colored ear muffs from one of the vendors -- for about $7.
We had a traditional Chinese lunch today at a restaurant adjacent to the Dragon Land Superior Jade Factory where we could watch the grinders at work through a glass panel --- the work is tedious requiring precision. The retail section was quite large with lots of merchandise which they would have liked for us to purchase but we did not.
After lunch we have a nice walk through the Sacred Way near the Ming Dynasty Tomb -- this is a large path lined with 500 year old huge marble statues of soldiers of varying ranks and animals who protect the gravesites of the Ming Emperors and their entourages.
On the way to the hotel we pass the 2008 Olympic Park -- the Chinese are quite proud of the "birds nest" and other buildings -- the park surrounding the "birds nest" looks quite crowded as we pass by.
For the evening, we meet at 6:15 in the lobby to go to the Peking Opera. This is a part of Chinese culture that has been around for over 200 years. We were given the abbreviated version lasting one hour ---- just enough. The story lines are all fables from Chinese history -- most of the story is told through dance and gymnastics - very little dialogue. However -- there is a screen which translates into English what words are being spoken.
As the hotel the dining room is still open when we get back from the opera we have a bite to eat -- and off to bed.
A good and busy first day in Beijing.
Thanks for Reading!
Pat
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