April 19, Saturday
Another fabulous breakfast at the Kerry Hotel. More than made up for last nights diner. Wish I had taken pictures. Too busy eating.
Met our group (28 of us) tour guide,Larry. Can’t say enough about this guy. University Grad, Married with one child. Wife works for the government. Excellent english. Better than many in USA.
Spent the morning at Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City. Had pocket knife confiscated at security at Forbidden City. I knew they didn’t like guns but small pocket knives – you got to be kidding. I was so happy I didn’t go to jail that I told them they could keep the knife. Some supervisor now has a good pocket knife. The really long (2 hr +) line on the side of the Square is to see Mao’s body which is brought out for viewing each day. The Forbidden City was the Imperial Palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties, has 9,999 rooms a 20 foot moat and32 ft high wall. Lots of walking but all flat. After lunch time for a nap then off to the Silk Market where I bought a $7 silk scarf(made in France) and an $8 silk(I hope) tie. After dinner it was off to the Peking Opera.
Tiananmen Square
more of the hugh line waiting to see Mao’s body
There is that line again – and he has been dead for a while
Forbidden City
The kid in Yellow is actually a tourist. They dress them up and photoshop a video showing them flying over the Forbidden City. BUT they love to pose with foreigners.The big pot was used for fires to keep water from freezing. The couch is a look into concubines quarters. The boat in the moat has govt workers cleaning trash  out of the moat.
A peek into a concubines quarters
Govt workers cleaning trash out of moat
Wishing well – kind of
Silk Market
Changing of embassy guards and old city wall
The old city wall
Those civilian looking guy at attention are the undercover guys.
Peking Opera. Star gets dressed and made up on stage prior to show
