Note – All images are scanned from slide film.
Beijing/Peking, China – Day 2
Walking around to the shops to view displays
Drove around Tiananmen Square
Forbidden City
VERY LARGE. I can easily see why people were in awe back a few centuries ago!! I mean I was amazed here and now!!
- Main Entrance to the Forbidden City
- Guard Tower – Forbidden City
- Roof Corner Detail – Forbidden City
- Taihemen – Gate of Supreme Harmony
- Taihemen – Bronze Lion
- Taihemen – Marple Terraces/East
- Dragon-Cloud Ramp Stone Carving
- Gold Guard Lion
- Carved Wood Dragon
- Iron Incense Urn
- Gold Guard Dog
The Emperor Gardens
Dinner in the streets
We ended up eating dinner right across the street from the hotel.
My introduction to the Mongolian Fire Pot style of cooking and eating
Our waitress was an extremely cute Chinese girl, and we got her to sing a traditional Chinese folk song for us, and in turn, Dad sang a song back to her.
After dinner we walked down the street, and had desert from the side-walk vendors. During the day, none of the vendors are there, but just before dawn, they start to set up, and by dinner time and up to 11:00PM they are still selling all sorts of food.
Robert & I tried to barter for a scroll.
Bar hopping w/Robert
1st Bar – Sammy’s Hostess bar
One of the senior hostesses was training. The proper way to pour a beer, to clean an ash tray, and at point, I do remember the teacher slapping the student.
The where very quick with the lighter when you reached for a cigarette. It was rather odd knowing you are representing Zippo, and the hostess keep whipping out disposable lighters.
Early in the evening, the power was cut off.
Going to the bathroom with a flash light, and the guy in the bathroom with the flash light as you are doing your thing.
2nd Bar – Hostess Bar
They wanted 200 juan just to sit there!!
3rd – Hostess Bar
One of the first things that struck me about this bar was the collection of Camera in a glass display case as you walked in.
At the door, one is greeted by one hostess greets you and then walks you into the lounge, and up some very elegant stairs to the second floor.
At the top of the stairs, you are greeted by another hostess, who guides you down the corridor, and you try to decide what type of atmosphere you wish to partake in.
We decide on going into the Karaoke portion.
Several times, Robert got up to do some singing, and he turned out to be quite good!
Our hostess, Melinda, know some English, and she studying to become a doctor.