Today I met Gloria in the lobby at 9:30 to begin the second day of the tour. We walked to the Forbidden city as it was really close to my hotel. We saw Ti'anmen Square the world's largest public square. Forbidden city is the largest Imperial Palace in the world. The architecture was beautiful. It was very crowded though. Many Chinese people are rude and pushy. They do not wait their turn and they budge the line.
While I was waiting for my tour guide to buy my entrance ticket, a family of Chinese tourists came up and signaled that they wanted a picture with me. I agreed to take the picture. But before I knew it a small line had formed and everyone wanted a picture with the foreigner.
I can't believe how little English people in China speak. SE Asia was way further ahead in this regard. I am seriously using hand signals with pretty much everybody. Thank god I have an English speaking tour guide or this trip would not be enjoyable.
After the Forbidden city, we went for a traditional lunch. I had sweet and sour pork, dumplings and green pea leafs and garlic. My favorite was the sweet and sour pork.
After lunch we went to a hutong which is a old residential area. We road around the community on a rickshaw which is a buggy pulled by a bike. We visited a family who had lived in the home for generations. They had lots of antique furniture. It was awkward because the family did not speak English so I was unable to communicate with then. There are not many hutongs left in Beijing because most have been destroyed for high rise buildings.
Next we went to the Temple of Heaven. The Imperial place of worship from ancient times. It was beautiful! This place has become a park where local people come to socialize. People were dancing and playing cards.
After the temple, I went to an acrobatic show. It was the Asian version of cirque de soleil. The acts were amazing. After the show, the driver to took me back to the hotel and I went straight to bed.
I loved the wall but china is not my favorite place. I am ready to leave tomorrow. I don't think I will ever come back to China but it was a good experience.