Laurel and FLM checking out the seats in first class. The seats are wider and have a lot of leg room. Not bad for a first time flight. Just don't get used to it. The next flight will not be so comfy!
FLM didn't think the lavatory was small. It was plenty big enough for her!
Across Kansas there were cool patterns in the land. Farmers use irrigation equipment that sprays water as it rotates in the field creating very big circles.
As we crossed Utah we saw some salt flats that are
remnants of seas that once covered this part of the US.
Approaching San Francisco, California. We could see the fog rolling across the land.
The flight to Beijing was on a Boeing 747. There were almost 400 passengers. There were three seats on the left and right sides and five seats in the middle!
Throughout the flight and between the movies, maps would show us our progress. Here we are about halfway there!
It is hard to imagine how much luggage 81 people have, but here it is! The van was filled full!
The traffic on the highways was busy! The cars were always weaving in and out.
There were lanes for the main traffic and side lanes for buses, taxis, scooters and bicycles. The far right lane was for scooters and bicycles only. Buses and taxis could use it for loading and unloading passengers.
Plates and plates of food was placed on a lazy Susan so that everyone could share. We tried to eat with chopsticks and finally master them a few days later. There was always rice,
sauted vegetables and some type of meat--beef, chicken or fish. One meal we had squid!
FLM was amazed at how big
Tian An Men Square was. It is large enough to hold one million people!
One of the buildings in the Forbidden City. A lot of the buildings were painted red. The symbolized power. Blue symbolized the heavens and green the Earth.
FLM was excited to see the lions. This one is over 5 feet tall and guards the entrance to the Forbidden City.
The ceilings and supports beams were all painted in a geometric design. There were flowers and leaves in some of the designs.
Dragon heads served as water spouts. There were carved from marble over 500 years ago.
Fresh water oysters contain many pearls. There were over 20 in this one!
Happy helped us try on pearls.
FLM found a strand that was just her size.
The Summer Palace sits on the shore of Kunming Lake.
FLM thought Turtle Island would be a fun place to visit. It is connected to the shore by Seventeen Arch Bridge. The Emperor would speak to the people from the middle arch.
We road across the lake on a dragon boat. It is modeled after the boats used by the emperors to travel on the lake.
The last emperor of China had a dragon boat build of marble. It was used for banquets. It did not go anywhere, but let the people enjoy the lake and the views.
Beijing was once called Peking. We ate Peking Roasted Duck foe dinner one night. This is a traditional dish served to all visitors to Beijing.
The Great Wall is very steep. Guard towers and rest stops are all along the Wall.
FLM is ready for the concert. She has her viola tuned and ready to play!
Many Chinese tourists wanted their pictures taken with Americans. Laurel (center) and Michelle (right) were popular. The Chinese liked their red and blond hair and especially like Laurel 's curls.
If you look closely you might see the difference between the step heights along the Great Wall.
Large vases made of copper are covered with thin wires creating a design that will be filled in with enamel.
This lady is filling all the of openings with enamel. She has a pattern to follow that tells her what color goes in each opening.
Rickshaws are a traditional way to travel in China. Today they are powered buy a rider on a bicycle. In the past they were pulled by a person on foot.
The entrance to the home we visited in Old Beijing. The family had lived here since 1949. The circular opening represents the Earth.
Their living room had a flat screen TV and an X-box!
The kitchen was very small. They go to the market every day to buy food for dinner.
This bedroom is for guests who can stay here much like a bed-and-breakfast here in the US. The cost is 400 Yuan per night and includes breakfast.
These girls appeared to be no older than 10 or 12! Wow they are strong and very flexible.
There were many stores, restaurants and brands that we see here in the US. A lot of the building had signs like this advertising what could be found inside. The first floor housed the businesses and the upper floors were offices or apartments.
This is a cart filled with tires, inner tubes and others parts to repairs bicycles.
Laurel and FLM checking out the seats in first class. The seats are wider and have a lot of leg room. Not bad for a first time flight. Just don't get used to it. The next flight will not be so comfy!
FLM didn't think the lavatory was small. It was plenty big enough for her!
Across Kansas there were cool patterns in the land. Farmers use irrigation equipment that sprays water as it rotates in the field creating very big circles.
As we crossed Utah we saw some salt flats that are remnants of seas that once covered this part of the US.
Approaching San Francisco, California. We could see the fog rolling across the land.
The flight to Beijing was on a Boeing 747. There were almost 400 passengers. There were three seats on the left and right sides and five seats in the middle!
Throughout the flight and between the movies, maps would show us our progress. Here we are about halfway there!
It is hard to imagine how much luggage 81 people have, but here it is! The van was filled full!
The traffic on the highways was busy! The cars were always weaving in and out.
There were lanes for the main traffic and side lanes for buses, taxis, scooters and bicycles. The far right lane was for scooters and bicycles only. Buses and taxis could use it for loading and unloading passengers.
Plates and plates of food was placed on a lazy Susan so that everyone could share. We tried to eat with chopsticks and finally master them a few days later. There was always rice, sauted vegetables and some type of meat--beef, chicken or fish. One meal we had squid!
FLM was amazed at how big Tian An Men Square was. It is large enough to hold one million people!
One of the buildings in the Forbidden City. A lot of the buildings were painted red. The symbolized power. Blue symbolized the heavens and green the Earth.
FLM was excited to see the lions. This one is over 5 feet tall and guards the entrance to the Forbidden City.
The ceilings and supports beams were all painted in a geometric design. There were flowers and leaves in some of the designs.
Dragon heads served as water spouts. There were carved from marble over 500 years ago.
Fresh water oysters contain many pearls. There were over 20 in this one!
Happy helped us try on pearls. FLM found a strand that was just her size.
The Summer Palace sits on the shore of Kunming Lake.
FLM thought Turtle Island would be a fun place to visit. It is connected to the shore by Seventeen Arch Bridge. The Emperor would speak to the people from the middle arch.
We road across the lake on a dragon boat. It is modeled after the boats used by the emperors to travel on the lake. 
The last emperor of China had a dragon boat build of marble. It was used for banquets. It did not go anywhere, but let the people enjoy the lake and the views.
Beijing was once called Peking. We ate Peking Roasted Duck foe dinner one night. This is a traditional dish served to all visitors to Beijing.
The Great Wall is very steep. Guard towers and rest stops are all along the Wall.
FLM is ready for the concert. She has her viola tuned and ready to play! 
Many Chinese tourists wanted their pictures taken with Americans. Laurel (center) and Michelle (right) were popular. The Chinese liked their red and blond hair and especially like Laurel 's curls.
If you look closely you might see the difference between the step heights along the Great Wall.
Large vases made of copper are covered with thin wires creating a design that will be filled in with enamel.
This lady is filling all the of openings with enamel. She has a pattern to follow that tells her what color goes in each opening.
Rickshaws are a traditional way to travel in China. Today they are powered buy a rider on a bicycle. In the past they were pulled by a person on foot.
The entrance to the home we visited in Old Beijing. The family had lived here since 1949. The circular opening represents the Earth.
Their living room had a flat screen TV and an X-box!
The kitchen was very small. They go to the market every day to buy food for dinner.
This bedroom is for guests who can stay here much like a bed-and-breakfast here in the US. The cost is 400 Yuan per night and includes breakfast.
These girls appeared to be no older than 10 or 12! Wow they are strong and very flexible.
There were many stores, restaurants and brands that we see here in the US. A lot of the building had signs like this advertising what could be found inside. The first floor housed the businesses and the upper floors were offices or apartments. 
This is a cart filled with tires, inner tubes and others parts to repairs bicycles.
I have added photos and more comments. I left the first posting as it was.
ReplyDeleteThe Real Love Magnet says:
ReplyDeleteI like my camera and violin. I like rice and Orange Chicken. Did you eat ramen? I want to have Chinese food tonight but mom made bisketti and sauce and meatballs.
What an awesome adventure the Flat Love Magnet had. Thanks so much for including photos!
ReplyDelete