Temple of Heaven

Today we went to the Temple of Heaven. It was beautiful. I don't think I have gone to a park, palace or temple that hasn't been!

We were on out own today at the park. it was fun just the two of us.

Here is the sign at the entrance and the front gate.









This is the Hall for the Prayer of Good Harvests








For the first time today here is our spokes model Delainie.










This is the circular wall. It is said you can stand on one side and talk to someone on the other because the sound travels around the wall.






This is the circular mound altar.




So we get to the top. There is this round stone right in the middle. Everyones is posing themselves or their children on it and taking their picture. What can I say. When in China do what the Chinese do. I am sure it has something to do with good luck and we have ensured out good luck thus far so why jinx it. So, here she crowded with everyone else on this circular stone.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday Dear Sidney!
Happy Birthday to You!

Happy 12th Birthday

Independence Day in China

Hello,

Independence Day came and went here with no fan fair. Well of course it did silly, it is not a Chinese National Holiday and it is not July 4th in the US yet. I wonder if it will make the evening news. Maybe tomorrow's news because you are 12 hours behind us and to see the fireworks it needs to be morning here.

Speaking of fireworks.

We hear them a lot here on Friday's & Saturday's. Nan says it's because someone was married and they set off fireworks before they enter their new home for good luck. They sometimes do it a second day to make sure.



Again we watched Madame White Snake. See a picture of Delainie watching it?





Delainie spends a lot of time reading. I bought her the Princess Diaries for her to read during the summer. She has read almost all of them and they were supposed to last the whole time we are in China.






Shu shu is very interesting. He will go to the store and come back with lunch sometimes. Today, he came back with the most delicious steamed buns I have ever had. They are even better than the Golden Delight Bakery on Bethel Rd. I think it's because we are in China and the ingredients are for these dishes are easier to get meaning readily available. But I haven't found a place where we can get strawberry cake like theirs. So, their reputation is safe.

I cleaned the room today and kicked up a lot of dust. We are both snuffing today. We took allergy pills to stop it.

Days at Home

For the last two days Delainie & I have spent them at home. It is nice just to relax. I have done my first load of laundry by myself in the washing machine. They are now hanging up to dry. I will post a picture later.

This is a picture of me cooking lunch. It is fuzzy because it is shot through the glass in the kitchen window.





Delainie and I have been fascinated by this Chinese TV show called Madame White Snake. It is about these two sisters a white snake and a green snake. They have several companions a little boy , a mortal man and a large Buddha looking man. The sister are good swordswomen and they have magical powers one being able to transform from snake to human easily.

You can read about the legend by clicking here.

Or to see information about the tv series click here.

Views and Pic of a Day

Okay, I know this isn't a pretty picture of Delainie. But, you have to admit it is a funny one. I guess I was the photographer. But, I don't remember taking it. It just goes to show you that no matter where you go or what you do this is it!



This is Princess Sheepies view of China. For some of you that don't know or haven't met PS. This is Princess Sheepie Cucumber. Princess Sheepie Strawberry (1st one) had a well loved life that ended when she accidentally took a tumble into the mud. We tried to wash her but because she has a music box, she was unsalvagable. PS Cucumber is the last of her kind. We can not find another like her. So, this one will continue to turn grey and be tattered. Poor Princess Sheepie. As you can see she spends a lot of her time sleeping. She is a very tired sheep. You see she is still on Ohio time. PS also sleeps because, I am told she comes awake at night to watch over her faithful friend, Delainie. She keeps Delainie safe from the things that go bump in the night.

Summer Palace

Today, we went to the Summer Palace. It is sunny with a blue sky. A very hot day. Humid too with all of the rain. It is a city heat though. Cities are hot. The nights are a little cooler. We still haven't gotten used to the sun up at 4:30 however we are sleeping to 5:30 or so.



Here is a picture looking across Kunming Lake.




Same place just a different view. Stunning isn't it. Beihai still my favorite but SP is beautiful too.



View from the boat ride.


We rode across the lake on a boat like this one.





Here is another view of a pagoda.











This boat was made out of stone.




This is the first time today we have seen our spokes model Delainie. In the background you can see the same stone boat.



This is called the Great Corridor. It runs most of the length of one edge of the Lake. I asked Delainie "What would you think if you lived in a place like this a long time ago?" She said "It would be a very big yard. You could go swimming everyday in the lake. It would be cool."


I am guessing that this was the Emporer's Bedroom. It was the most lavish looking of them all.




This is Vivi our guide for the day. She wanted to practice English. She did a very good job. She can speak very well. Thank you Vivi, Libby & Nan for arranging this for us today. Libby was the driver.

Computer Screem!

Okay, I know I misspelled it but that is what I felt like doing. Screaming in terror. I woke this morn and turned the computer on. Guess what I saw. This weird ribbon like look on the right hand side of the screen. Here are two pictures I took of it. I don't know what happened or even how it happened. All I know is that it did happen. I can't do anything about it because I'm in China. I will just have to deal and hope it doesn't spread across my whole screen. Please say a prayer to the MAC Gods that that does not happen.