Tianamnen Square and 2 Temples (Day 15)

                                                                                                   Tuesday, June 21

Taiji lesson, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple

    We started the day with an hour long taiji lesson.  Due to the Howard/teacher’s schedule, we had it in the yoga room at our hotel.  Quite the picture—5 Strom’s trying to do something SLOWLY (as our instructor kept saying).  We are not a slow family!  We are more of a “who can get done first” family.  I think we may have challenged poor Howard.  It was fun to try it, but I’m not sure how much we’ll remember.

    From there we went to Tiananmen Square.  Huge.  750 meters one way and I already forgot how many the other way.  We didn’t see Mao (dead, waxy guy) because the line was overly long.  Turns out they close the Square on June 4th every year.  The anniversary of the Revolt.  Along with that, all university students must stay on campus that day.  I must stop here to say that the temp was 36*C, but it also said ‘feels like 44*C.'  We were using umbrellas to keep off the sun, again.  

   Next we saw two temples—The Temple of Heaven and the Lama Temple.  Dad tossed a coin into a very, very hard to get place on a . . .  hmmm.  I’m stuck for a word that could describe this.  It isn’t a statue, maybe I could go with a small stupa?  Anyway, he is now blessed with really, really good luck because he nailed it.  His comment was—I had 7 children—how is that blessed?!  Funny guy.

   Had our last Chinese meal—again, unbelievably delicious.  Ding, Ding hao!  (Chinese for excellent).

   Our flight tomorrow is at 5:30 AM.  This translates to getting up at 2, be in the hotel lobby at 2:30, to be at the airport on time.  I'm debating whether or not to bother sleeping.  
amy

7 second video of Dad's proficiency with chopsticks!  He ate the entire meal without a hitch.  

Taiji lesson

And more taiji

Pano of Tiananmen Square

Mao's building.  They change this picture every year so he doesn't get weary looking.

Sign outside the Square.  And the moral--dress up your flames.

At the Temple of Heaven.  Retired folks playing cards all along the walkway.

Pano of Temple of Heaven

This spot is crowded on the weekends with parents holding resumes of their marriageable children.  Dave named it "Match.rock"  This is him announcing that he is available.  Sylvia was all for selling him off!

At the Drunk and Coffee our last night with all 5 of us.  This is our waiter, David, replacing my brother.