Botanical Garden

Sunday- a day of rest
Today was well spent (in the morning) at the Beijing Botanical Garden. Just thought I would share a couple photos.

The Great Wall

Saturday we loaded a bus and headed for the Great Wall. It was POURING rain from the moment we left the hotel until the moment we got on the bus to come home!! Yep... it rained the whole time... but that didn't damper our fun!! We had a great time... got soaked to the bone. I (Avery) even slipped and landed in a puddle... how many people can say the slipped and landed in a huge puddle on the Great Wall.
Here are some photos we took (a few out of the 85 pictures we took)

Beijing Park

You may be wondering... what happen to Wes and Avery??

We are still here!! We both have been battling a cold and most of our days have been consumed with classes.
In between homework and reading, tonight I thought I would share with you some pictures of a beautiful park in Beijing!! We got out of class at 3:00 today and decided to find a peaceful place.
This park was amazing. Beautiful trees, bridges, water, lily pads. There were also people dancing, singing and fishing.

A Mall 1.5 times bigger than Mall of America

Yes... you read that title right... 1.5 times bigger!! This night our goal (along with about 5 other American) was a western style meal. The winning restaurant... Papa Johns. You must have know it was pizza, since I was involved and pizza happens to be the best food on the planet!! It did not let us down!! All 7 of us pigged out on the most delicious pizza we have ever tasted!! After dinner we walked for about a half hour through a portion of the mall. I think we made it through 2 stores. It was unbelievable and overwhelmingly BIG!! This picture only show the front of the anchor store in the mall!!

Beijing Olympics

One evening Wes and I made a trek across Beijing to visit the site of the 2008 Olympics!! In order to get to this area you must take one bus and four subway transfers... Beijing is BIG!! We were really excited about seeing everything!! When we got there, we realized our views would be from the outside. We could not find an area to buy tickets and get inside where all the action took place... but none-the-less... here are some pictures of the outside :-)
Even though it looks like it's raining in the picture... it wasn't. This is a small example of the smog that takes over the city!! Sometimes you feel as if you can touch it and taste it.

Some pictures

Above, The Forbidden City... I would dare say the day we went so did the rest of the population of Beijing... it was SUPER crowded! Wes and my goal... make it to the other side as quickly as possible. We succeeded in about 30 minutes- it sits on a TON of land!!
I'm not sure if you can read this billboard... I will try to get another picture... but it says- "In Learning We Trust" This truly captures the mindset of many Chinese.
Little boy at the bus stop... OUCH - somebody help this poor child with his wedgie. :-)

The Three Ambiguities

The Three Ambiguities of China
1. Nothing is as it seems
2. Plans can't keep up with change
3. If you're not confused... you're not paying attention

OH HOW TRUE

Our time in China so far has been split between teaching classes and cultural outings. Even simple things in the States, like going to the grocery store, is considered a cultural outing. We have learned in our short 8 days that if something seems one way... it is not really that way at all!! The answer to most question is "perhaps" This can be really frusterating to a foreigner where everything is black and white. Flexibility like a rubber band is KEY.
My favorite has to be #3... I must be paying excellent attention because I am confused all the time!!