August 27: Beijing Still

My Last Day In Beijing

Today started with a trip to the Summer Palace where the Dowager Empress was well associated with.  The lake and hills were all man-made, the hills from the dirt moved to make the lake.  The lake was initially intended to be the reservoir for Beijing.  In the distance, through the haze of smog, (which was actually lighter that day than other days we were there, it went so far as to let us glimpse a blue sky) was the hill that had the spring that served as the water source for the Emperor.

The Dowager Empress, Cixi, put something like 100s of millions into the palace.  When the Emperor before her knew he was going to end up leaving a small child in charge he appointed a council of regents.  Cixi was one of the Emperors concubines, the one to give birth to the Tongzhi Emperor.  When the Xianfeng Emperor died she quickly took down the council and took control of the Empire.

The BLCU campus was built on the grounds of the Old Summer Palace.  In some places part of the Old Palace still stand in Beijing, Tomb markers and whatnot.

At the new Summer Palace the Dowager Empress had a marble boat constructed for ornamental reasons.  The marble had to be brought all the way from Daoli.  All of the bridges around the palace were designed after famous bridges around China.

These are all pictures from The Long Corridor,  I believe that's what it is called.  All along the corridor there are scenes from traditional Chinese stories.

The Beijing train station was filthy with people.  People coming, people going, people sleeping, people staring, so much staring.
The train pictures are on my iPod so you can't see them.
Car 15, Row 21, Bottom Bed.

It's safe to say that in Asia I am not Asian.

A woman turned to the Chinese girl in our group and told her I looked like a waiguoren.  A foreigner.  the lady was really confused when Laura didn't have fluent Chinese skills.  It's almost better to be a foreigner here cause people don't expect anything from you in your Chinese language skills.

Quick note:  A squat toilet is one thing, a squat toilet that's on a moving train is just that much more fun.  If the train lurches or turns or slows a moment of panic persists as the knowledge that if you slip, since the floors are oh so wet, you may just end up falling in every horrible thing ever.