Remembering our first day in Beijing

A year ago, 3/5/10, was our first day to explore Beijing with our group and our guide, George. It was COLD and WINDY, even though the sun was out. I think it was in the 20's that day...brr! We passed through Tiananmen Towers and into the Forbidden City. That was a massive structure, and very well preserved. The silk factory was our next stop: it was full of beautiful cloth! Then we had a lunch at a traditional chinese restaurant- it was FABULOUS! Bowl after bowl of food was placed on a huge lazy susan in the middle of the table; there was everything from noodles to chicken and even french fries! :-) We took a ride in a rickshaw (they provided blankets to shield us from the wind), and visited an elderly lady in the hutong. She lives in a building that is hundreds of years old: 1 room, stone hut, no bathroom! People in this neighborhood shower at the public baths down the street, and use the public restrooms nearby. So much to be thankful for in our westernized homes!!