However, first things first. I have been an infrequent blogger this time because of visits from dear friends (it seems I always have an excuse). My great friend Lindsay took the leap over the big pond and visited me here in the great city of Beijing. What a blessing! It was fun to have her here and show her around and let her experience life in China.
But, we did have a few interesting experiences. Most recently was the time we got screwed over by the little Chinese man. It all started on Wednesday. We had a full day planned at the Mausoleum, Tiananmen, Hutongs, Forbidden City, and then on to some shopping, so we were full-speed ahead at every stop, rushing around so we could get it all in. We arrived in the Square with just enough time to get a quick glance of the Chairman in his “Mao-soleum”, so we were rushing to get in. This little official-looking Chinese man pulled us aside and motioned to us that we weren’t able to bring our bags into the Mausoleum (which turned out to be true), so he grabbed my arm and started running with us across Tiananmen. We were pushing people aside and running into people as we bolted to get to the place where you can keep your stuff. When we got there, he told me “20, 20”, which I assumed was 20 yuan to hold our stuff (which was also true). So we paid the money, put our stuff away, and then literally ran again back across Tiananmen, all the while still running into women and small children everywhere. We arrived back to the line that leads us into the Mausoleum with 10 minutes to spare. He then shoves us into the fast-paced crowd of people heading to see Mao, but still keeps tugging at my arm saying “20, 20 to get in”. With all the flurry and commotion, Lindsay and I both got really confused (was it 20 to get into the Mausoleum? what was he saying?). Lindsay pulled out her 50, and said “all we have is a 50”, and the little man took it and shoved us back into the crowd of people and disappeared. That was just about the time we realized entrance into the Mausoleum was free…
I guess you just need to get used to those things happening to you in China, huh? When you can’t speak the language, you are bound to get taken advantage of.
BUT, all in all, the Fulmer visit was successful. We saw all the sights in a short amount of time (Olympic Synchronized Swimming, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Pearl Market, Silk Market, Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen, etc.), and even threw in a quick trip to Inner Mongolia. Well, I made her go… I had a work commitment, but when it’s your first trip to China, everything is an experience.
This is a picture of how happy we were after we ran into our little Chinese-man friend:
But then, the little Chinese baby-butts always make us happy again.
Until further notice...
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