Had to get up, great breakfast at the wonderful breakfast buffet, and then get on the bus to go to the jade factory.
We did enjoy the buffet breakfast and the opportunity to sample Asian fare.
Interesting odd things.
I started liking these Chinese biscuits.
All manner of breads.
Pretty woman enjoying breakfast.
The triangular bookend salt and pepper shaker caught my eye.Great Halloween carving.Only in China, talent is so deep.Very artistic.Painted pumpkin.My personal favorite of the carved pumpkins.Emily stayed at the same hotel as us and was there all 3 days in Beijing.Fun things everywhere.
The jade factory was on the way to the Great Wall and took about an hour to get to. Some of the way Emily was talking about the jade and what to expect, how long we would be there and about what to expect for the day.
Great huge flower pot in front of our hotel.Brandon, fun guy and king of unusual and good snacks (plus he always shared).Brandon’s spouse, Andrew, also a great guy.Nancy, who later in the journey would share her stinky tofu with Edie and I.Emily sharing wonderful stories and insights into China.
We got to the jade factory and had a little tour before we got to go shopping.
Edie loves the copper doors going into the jade factory.Great jade fountain with the water making the ball move.Beautiful huge statues.Three years in the making.On the masters work bench.Exquisite delicate art.Color and translucence are important.The bowls are fantastic.Huge agates that are destined to be bowls one day.The Olympic gold metals had one side in jade manufactured at this facility.
Our daughter had requested a replacement bracelet as she had lost the one we got last time we were in China. Our shopping specialist took us to the area of the “cheaper” jade bracelets. We explained what we were looking for and then started trying some on my wrist. These are the no clasp solid jade bracelets. About the second or third one he put on, I was helping him get it off and it slipped over my wrist and went flying into the air. It was like a scene from a movie where your life flashes before your eyes as I watched this “cheaper” jade bracelet fly into the air, crash down on the glass jewelry case, then fall onto the floor and shatter into many pieces. The shopping specialist looked as shocked as I was and it seemed like the whole huge shopping area just stopped and got silent as they looked our way.
The shopping specialist picked up all the pieces and assured us it was okay. I was in total disbelief as I thought jade could not possibly break that easily, but it obviously can. Michael and I decided we didn’t want the cheaper bracelet (as it is obviously too fragile), and because we broke it, we went to the next level of bracelets that were not one whole piece of jade.
The infamous jade bracelet counter where Edie was taking off one she had tried on, right at the tightest point she gave it an extra push. It cleared the thickest part of her hand, took flight, hit the glass counter top, bounced, rolled and skidded off the top and onto the tile floor where it shattered into about 10 pieces.
We decided on one, looked at some earrings, then just looked around at all the beautiful jade pieces.
Art of many forms was sold here.The store is huge.Huge jade carvings.Great Chinese superstition in the figure on the left, a Chinese money cat. Has a mouth, takes in but has no bottom to let things out. You have to place it at a 45 degree angle at your door and it will attract money. Wrong angel or placement and it will take your money.Typical comfy Chinese jade furniture.
We really loved some jade bowls (around $3,000 US), but can you imagine if one broke in an earthquake or an accident? So beautiful and I’m sure well worth it but after our recent jade experience – NO.
Someone found a huge agate. An artisan of great talent saw a white bowl with two mottle colored fish inside. My personal favorite of all I saw today.A handsome price for a handsome bowl.They were all lovely.and spendy.
We got to stick around and shop for quite awhile. Michael and I ended up at the bar area and I was able to get a coke for pretty cheap. They also had tea available for those who wanted it. After awhile we were all herded up and back into the bus for the rest of the ride to the Great Wall. All of us on the bus were excited and we’re really enjoying the people in our group that we’ve gotten to know.
Exotic design.Called “The Dragon’s Tail.”We went by this traffic circle several times. Not sure who the rider is. Think he was wounded because of the horse having one leg up.This is a car from Beijing. We know this by the Chinese symbol on the left of the license plate, it stands for Beijing. We know this because at the top is a straight line with a bump on it. That represents the Great Wall and the bump is a soldier. The square below stands for the center of Beijing, Tiananmen Square. The three lines flowing from there stands for many roads, which there certainly are in Beijing.Emily pointed out a few cars with no license plate. She asked, “Do you think the car is stolen?” She went on to explain theft is very rare in China. But if you drive on a day you are not supposed to then every camera that picks you up is a 200 yuan fine. If 22 cameras pick you up it becomes a 4400 yuan fine. Easier to risk getting caught and remove your license plate and make the run, Park, put it back on and leave it parked until you rush home. There are not that many Constables On Patrol (COPS) so some risk it.25,000 cars a month are all that are allowed to be sold. You have to enter a lottery to buy a vehicle license plate. Once you win the lottery the plate costs $20,000. Then you can go buy one. The wait list for the lottery is 1.5 million and growing.When you get your license plate, depending on the last 2 numbers on the plate, one day a week, Monday through Friday, you are not allowed to drive in Beijing.
We got to the Great Wall and Emily told us what time to be back on the bus, which she said should give us plenty of time to get to the top and back down. She walked us through the gate and then we were all on our own.
Pulling in, excitement grows.Gate house and entrance to the wall.This wall captured my mind, compression, different time periods, adaptive construction, and the tenacity of life clinging on the edge.New signage.
Lots of people of all ages and races were walking the wall. It was a nice day but very cold so we were so glad we brought our coats and hats to wear.
You walk in and climb, then go down, to get to the beginning of the climb.
Michael and I started out. We kinda remembered how hard it was from the last time but until we started up the uneven steps, then it all came back as to why I didn’t make it the whole way. I was determined this time that I would make it to the top – AND I DID! I was so proud of myself and thought many times I couldn’t do it (especially when I came across one of those three foot steps up the wall). My legs were hurting and at times it seemed worse coming down the wall. I had to use the hand rail a lot of the way. (Michael could not go all the way as his baker’s cyst was bothering him, but he did it last time so it was okay.)
Edie’s goal was to go as high as she could. My goal was to use wisdom and discretion and have legs left to go home on.So grateful for no smoking on the wall.The wall made way for the highway below.There is even a lovely little stream.The bottom of the first leg.Many a footfall.Pretty woman dealing with inconsistent heights of the stairs.It was built by slave labor and part of it might be malicious compliance. 4 bricks high, then 3, then 2. Makes hard walking.Interesting wear.First little up section.Excellent stone work on the walls, arches and decorative edges.Pretty woman looks lost in the weeds but she is just that far ahead of me on the wall stairs.Pretty woman making her way up.Looking down from my stopping point.Brandon and Andrew went up the opposite, steeper and longer side. It is a wonder they found the bus.Taking a break.A train runs under the wall.Contrast in time.Edie and I headed down.We were a long way up.Her legs are wobbly.Last time we were allowed up in the top of the parapets.We are pretty done with the wall.Don’t need to go back again. Two times is enough.A quick photo shoot on the left.Looking back up, I made it to the second parapet, Edie almost to the top red one on the left.Goodbye wall.
After most of us got back on the bus, exhausted but happy and telling of our adventures on the wall, we waited for Brandon and Andrew. They were quite late in getting back to the bus. When they finally did get on the bus, they said they decided to go up the steep side of the Great Wall and then got lost finding the route down to where the bus was parked. They are so funny! We teased that because we had to wait on them, they had to buy us all a drink.
Headed for our bus.
We left and headed down the road and went back to the jade factory to have lunch (included in the tour). It was quite good but left us a little hungry as they only served so much for the whole table and that was it.
We were hungry and only paused enough to get a few pictures.The food was appropriate to a Chinese appetite and about half what we all wanted. It was tasty.We didn’t realize that if you empty the platter, they will bring another.We all politely left some on each platter and service stopped.
After eating, we headed back into Beijing and to the Chinese medicine center. Emily had told us that a free foot massage was included (for a $3 or 20 Yuan tip), but if you didn’t want a foot massage, to just leave your shoes on. She also wanted money for tips and any other fees we owed (optional tours and merchandise purchased). Most of our cash was in the room safe and by the time we dug up American and Chinese money, we didn’t have anything left for a foot massage and I really wanted one after walking up the Great Wall. We were utterly and completely cash broke.
An art building we passed by.Left over from the Olympics.On our way to the traditional Chinese doctors, we passed by the Imperial Palace. The academy used to serve the Emperor and is located close to the Palace. These are the two gate houses.An old establishment.Some new business. KFC is big here.We drove through a nice neighborhood on our way to the doctors.Last time we were in China we spent a lot on medicine and took it home and never used it. We knew we would not be buying any this time.
It was interesting when we got into the center as students brought in wooden buckets to those who wanted the foot massage (shoes and socks off). After the buckets, the “doctors” came in with their interpreters and did their thing. One came to Michael, took his wrist and told him all that was wrong with him and wanted something like $250 US for a prescription. When we told him no thank you, he took my wrist and said I was fine. It was funny because Michael and I talked and decided not to buy here and that when the doctor knew we weren’t buying, he didn’t want to spend any more time with us.
Pretty woman at the entrance to the doctor.25 AD to 220 ADHandsome fellow from so many years ago.Hmmmm, a very early version of the charts on the wall in my doctor’s office.Everyone was led into a room for a free $3 foot massage. Edie and I did not take our shoes off, we had spent all our cash.They sat down, got foot soaks in ugly water, a massage, and a visit from a doctor. It is a medicine sales presentation. The doctor wanted to sell me many things, I declined. He then looked at Edie, declared her fit and active and moved on to the next potential client.
While the rest of the group was finishing up, Michael and I walked around and were glad we didn’t get a foot massage because we saw the older wet towels from previous customers that were just hanging outside. We saw no evidence of a washer or dryer. Haven’t heard of people’s toenails falling off so I guess everyone was okay.
What a great desk.We walked out and saw no washing machines. These are the towels they use to wipe the wet feet out of the dark water soak. (Maybe the white things are washers – I hope.)With weather getting cooler the scooter quilts came out. They cover the hands and legs and look comfy and warm.
The drive back to the hotel was relaxing and fun to see some new sights that Emily pointed out. When we got back to the hotel we pretty much crashed and burned, woke up to order room service, then back to bed.
Bridges, trees and water always work in China.The buildings in China are often stylish.This is really thick glass on the night stand.Our delivery man was properly attired for Halloween.
