Monday 15/9/08

Today we visited the Hutongs, the old alleyways that run between low courtyard houses - basically, Beijing as it used to be. We wandered slowly through the alleys, watching the residents as they went about their business - shopping, playing, riding their bikes, and prepaparing for lunch. It was a fascinating look at a different style and pace of life.





After lunch we had free time, and I went with some of the others to the Forbidden City. It is incredibly big (and incredibly crowded). We only had a couple of hours here, which didn't do it justice, but I found it somewhat repetitious. The weather was quite hot which didn't improve the situation, and I definitely preferred the Temple of Heaven.


Hey, note the blue sky in the shot above!!



This evening we went to a Chinese Acrobat Show. Great show - truely amazing feats of strength, balance and acrobatics. But the human body isn't supposed to bend like that!

Off to bed now - we're off to that wall thing tomorrow. A late start so we'll be there around sundown - hopefully the light will be magic. If anyone wants me to bring back a brick for them, let me know.