I feel like I've been for for weeks....

but it's only been one day.

10:30 p.m. China time


I woke up without an alarm at 5:40 a.m. and went to the optional Purple Bamboo Park trip. We didn't find a group doing Tai Chi but we walked around the park which was gorgeous. The weather was that perfect temperature where shorts and a hoodie are appropriate and there is a slight breeze. The park had ponds, walking paths, gardens, boats, and even an "amusement park" playground.



We went back to breakfast which was dumplings, buns, rice cakes, plum juice, and more. It was my kind of breakfast. I could be happy eating that every morning. We'll see if that claim still stands after a month of eating it.





Everytime I see a Chinese baby I get so excited, and we played with the cutest one this morning in the lobby. He was a huge fan of Keith's cookies and was happy to pose for pictures with us.


We left and took an incredibly crowded and long bus ride to the Forbidden City. Walking in was insanity. It was so packed that I feared getting lost. We actually lost two people and waited 50 minutes for them, but didn't find them until hours later. Luckily they were both Chinese and one was fluent, so they were okay.





While waiting, our group was accosted by Asian to take pictures with them. The black people of the group got it the worst. They were blatantly stared and and people took pictures of them without permission. Many asked to pose with them. They also wanted pictures of us white kids and I was grabbed for dozens of pictures with young Asian men. Spencer said, "You're everyone's American girlfriend." I don't know why I was so popular, but some said it was because of the bangs and Wensess said it's because I look like "The girl next door." Either way, it was entertaining but chaotic as the constant stream of paparazzi attacked us. I never want to be famous. Josh was even handed a baby to hold for one picture.



We tried to get ice cream to deal with the rising heat, but all of our ice pops were terrible. My "grape" one was really filled with raisins, another apparently tasted like dirty water, and one was shaped and tasted exactly like corn. It was one of the most bizarre things I've ever tasted.






The Forbidden City and Temple were absolutely incredible. I am always impressed by architecture that it done without the use of modern tools. I need to watch a History Channel special on Chinese architecture so I can see how these were built. Everything is so symmetrical, grand, and opulent. The grounds went on forever and just when I thought I was so impressed that I couldn't be more, I would go through another gate. Some girls from the University showed us around and told us what the buildings were for. The emperor apparently needed one building to get dressed, one to make decisions, one to make announcements, and one each for every other task in his life.

We had lunch at the Forbidden City-nothing memorable so I'll skip it. (Seaweed, meat and rice if you really care).

We were supposed to hail taxis to our next stop, but after a half an hour of taxis driving right by us, we realized that it wasn't going to happen. Our group leaders (and a few students) had already gotten in a taxi, so we were on our own. Luckily, the University students were able to help us 20 of us squeezed onto an already crowded bus and after about an hour got to where we needed to be: The Temple of Heaven.


We were all thirsty and exhausted, and upon arrival needed beverages. I hate beer, but tried my first Chinese beer which was 5 yuan-less than a dollar. It's tagline is"Inspire the World. Taste the dream." It was awful. Here I am with Thomas-a HILARIOUS kid on the trip. Apparently the temple was BYOB as we were allowed to walk around with beers. China is a bizzare place.



While waiting to leave, we saw a large group dancing to traditional music. We joined in and Joe did an entertaining dance with a red fan. We then taught the crowd the macarena. They enjoyed it.





After the temple we went to the Pearl Market. Anne and I forgot the Joan Reil guide to the market, so we're going to return to shop. It was 5 floors full of people screaming to you in broken English about what a great deal they want to give you. Some of the other people on the trip bought phones, i-pods, and cameras for cheap. Others bought pearls, clothes, and jewelry. I got postcards and a sweet Mao watch for Kyle.



Dinner was at a loud place with waiters who kept yelling at each other. I had no idea what I was eating, and my camera died mid meal so I can't even show a visual. A lot of noodle with black bean sauce, some kind of soup, a cold beef dish, a spicy tofu, and a smattering of other dishes. My table was falling asleep while the other table was somehow lively and doing shots of something that apparently only cost 15 yuan a bottle. I'm still baffled by the exchange rate.

The bus ride home was almost an hour-and again Professor Gilmartin was not with us. I slept the entire ride home.


The smog is finally affecting me-or it may just be allergies. Either way I feel dirt in my nose and my eyes are a little itchy. China is cleaner and less congested than I've heard, but I feel dirty still. I CANNOT wait to shower.
It's 11:50 p.m. We were going to go to kareoke tonight, but we have to leave at 6 a.m. for the Great Wall.
I cannot believe I am going to the Great Wall.

I hate when people tell me I don't know how lucky I am to travel as much as I do. I do know how lucky I am. I hope all of you are able to live vicariously through me as I go through the rest of this trip and hopefully some of you (BECKI) will travel with me in the future. I sometimes doubt my choice of a major, but I really know I want to do something that involves travel and people and i think International Affairs-Anthropology is a good place to start.


On Day 1 our group is already clicking. There are a lot of really fun and funny people here, though I admit we are LOUD wherever we go.



I wish I knew how to say goodnight in Chinese, but I don't.
Well-actually good morning to all you Americans.

I remember one time when I was young my dad put me to bed and told me that in China people were just waking up. That blew my mind and stuck with me. Now I am in Asia and I am going to bed as you are all waking up. That's so strange.
Goodnight, Good morning, whatever
Hana