Karen at the Great Wall

As I posted yesterday, we discovered that our group tour was not going to the Forbidden City. I quickly got onto the phone (who said you didn't need a local cell phone?) and called Tony, who arranged a car and driver, and got Susan to come back on very short notice. If you are going to Beijing, Tony is the best - email me and I will give you his information.
Today we had six others from our group join us on the trip we were supposed to take with our pre-paid tour - to Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and up the Great wall. Of course Susan, our wonderful guide, painted a vivid picture the whole way through.
One of the things we have noticed coninually of Beijing is the massive scale of almost every building, monument, and temple. The buildings are enormous and sprawl along acres of land. We began our adventure walking through Tian'anmen Square past Mao's tomb (he is still lying in state - and the lines are constant to see him), past the Olympic countdown clock and under the portrait of Mao Tse Tung that adorns the entrance to the Forbidden City.

Karen under the Countdown Clock

Approaching Mao's Portrait

We learned that the Portrait is re-done every three years. Talk about keeping a fresh face!
This represents the entrance to the Forbidden City, which was used as the primary residence of 24 Emperors. To say this place is massive is an understatement. We walked through gate after gate only to see larger and larger "Halls" all along the same line with an innate symmetry that follows through the whole facility. Here is a sampling of the inside of the Forbidden City. Wach building has its own purpose, from State meetings to birthday parties. And it is all sponsored by American Express!

The Main Courtyard is still under renovation

China is truly commercializing!

The Chinese Characters above this throne say "Do Nothing"

After exiting the Forbidden City, we happened upon a group of old people taking their birds for a walk:

Then it was on to the Great Wall. After a 60 minute drive and a group lunch (all in, with beverages, $3 per person - in a private room), we arrived at the Great Wall and took a climb. Behold these pictures - they do not do the experience justice:

We made it up without much trouble - going back down was more of a task. Still, it was a spectacular view on a spectatular day - and there was even cell phone service! If it weren't 1 AM EST at the time, we would have made some calls, just to say we were on the top of the Wall. We did heed the posted warnings:

Finally, we headed back to central Beijing, and on the way back, passed by the construction of the new Olympic colesseum - which is meant to hold 196,000 people. Check out this design:

Tomorrow we will finally get to pick up Lexi in Chongqing. Our post tomorrow will show the joyous occasion and give everyone their first glimpse!

We have received all of your emails, and really like to hear from you - it helps us feel closer to home. Please keep them coming!