We have arrived safely after a very long flight. We learned that vegetarian food on Asian flights means bad Indian food. We're still debating if that is worse than bad Kosher food, but at least we could eat the ice cream they served to the general passengers. The flight crew was kind enough to find four extra so that the ice cream was the highlight of the flight.
Arriving at the airport, only one piece of luggage did not arrive with us. That piece had been left at Newark and it arrived on the next flight, the next day. Stacy had arranged a guide for the trip, and the Beijing Guide met us at the airport. We checked in to a large, lovely hotel on the main thoroughfare, close to the Forbidden City. The boys are in their own suite while Stacy and I have a much more modest room on the other side of the hall.
The weather was much like what we left in the US, cold and gray. That evening we walked to dinner at the "Golden Mile," a street that looks like China Town meets 5th Avenue
. We walked quite a bit until Noah became too tired, then went to dinner a bit off the main street. Menus had English, so we were able to order fish and vegetable dishes without any problem. The boys drank blended fruit rather than water.In the morning, we visited Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City.
The square is huge, but except for a few memorials to the heroes of China, there is little to see. The real hit of Tian'anmen Square was Noah, who became a photo star. Many people stopped to ask him to pose with them. Not just young women, but older men and families wanted a picture with the curly-haired boy.
The Forbidden City revealed a fascinating history and architecture. It is enormous and a bit overwhelming.
The woodwork, the history and the litany of Ming and Qing dynasty information became a bit dizzying. No wonder, the boys actually learned more about making pearls at the factory store we visited during lunch. Still, the area brought part of China's world-view to life.
Also fascinating was the fact that Mao Zedong's picture adorns the gate and dominates much of modern China even today. China remains a country quite proud of its history and emperors - whether they resided in the Forbidden City or served as Party chairman. This is quite an interesting place.
Day 2 is the Great Wall.
