Hi everyone,
Thanks to those who have posted comments back to us- we appreciate it!
Yesterday we headed in to Tiananmen Square- the political and cultural heart of Beijing, and therefore China. We climbed up on to Tiananmen gate and saw the square from right where Chairman Mao proclaimed the people's republic in 1949. Then we headed into the Forbidden City - the palace for the Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties since the 1400s. It has been extensively restored in recent years - so is looking beautiful in many places with a new coat of paint. The main halls are still under restoration though - wonder if they'll be done in time for the Olympics?
It's interesting having heard many times in Australia that all Beijing taxi drivers are being trained to speak ENglish to deal with tourists - I still haven't met one who can! They're also still quite rude to foreigners - so will be interesting to see how that plays out in the western media at Olympic time!
We had a very quick dinner and a FANTASTIC restaurant - had to bring the dumplings back as we ran out of time - and sent the kids back to the meeting at the school in taxis. Arrived in time for them to meet their homestay families. They all seem pretty pleased about it all - and are looking forward to going to their homestays today.
We haven't been able to go to church today for Good Friday -so have had private prayer ourselves. Am taking the kids to a Buddhist temple for a visit this afternoon - which feels a little wierd. We were going to the zoo to see the pandas - but they seem to think this will fit better with the program. The school here is running as normal today and all are in classes. You'd never know that today is the most sacred day of the christian calendar.
Lots of love and hugs to you all - may you have a joyous and peaceful Easter Season.
Don't forget to comment on this blog and say hi!
Blessings,
SB
5 comments:
Sounds like you're having a great time, but I feel for you with the whole lack of Easter observance over there.
Looking forward to seeing some pics when you manage to post them.
HI Sandy
Good to see your having a great time. Can you post pictures or do we haev to wait til you get home?
Hows all the tummys - any sickness? Food sounds great.
How do you find value for money as a travel destination?
Look froward to seeing you soon.
Happy Easter dear friends, Sounds like you are having an amazing time. I hope you are both well (and the students also) and that BB has not s.t.r.a.n.g.l.e.d. any of them yet. Having the kids in homestay, does that give you the opportunity to have a bit of time alone? Anyway, I hope you managed to find a few chocolate eggs over there, or the odd warm, irate bunny :-) Anyway, keep well, and we look forward to having you home. Love. JOD, LJMcD, BJMcD and HOMcD XX
First-time blog commentator, the liturgical prof, here.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
(to make up for a Buddhist Easter).
It's wonderful to read your reports - reminds me that China is on -well, at least Susan's list - and it's not off mine. All teachers should get instant AO's for courage and tenacity in the face of the young.
Sandy - your suggestion re PGW is registered, and we should talk about it when you're back.
Continue sfaely on your journey, and come back refreshed (after a night's sleep).
Grace and peace,
Robert
Dear liturgical prof and blog commentator extraordinaire!
Many thanks for your comments! It's certainly worth a visit. I took some great photos of a church and an ex missionary's home (where a dear friend of mine was brought up before the 1949 revolution) but unfortunately they've ended up in the drink at the bottom of the Li river. I'm going to ask some of my friends in Hanzhong who took me there to go back and re-take the photos.
Many thanks- see you Friday!
Peace,
SB
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