Well . . a very full day of exploring Tiananmen Sq, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park etc. But we know you really want to hear about the nappies so straight to the point. We have been looking out for babies and (as Juliar likes to say) the science is in. Or as Bob Hawke once said “By 2011 no Chinese child shall be running around bare-assed”. But he lied too. We clearly sighted a couple wearing trousers with the backside cut right out, so that if they squat the bottom opens wide. No nappies. But there were also a lot in normal pants and nappies.
This has been the kind of day I Iove, lots of walking and exploring with perfect weather. Our first challenge was crossing the main road to get to Tiananmen. Down one set of stairs to get to other side of street, down subway only to find that you can’t get through unless you buy a train ticket reversed all that and crossed a side street, then down the staircase there and successfully had got to other side of busy street. Several kite flyers trying to sell to us. Walking towards Tiananmen Square past the chunky communist era buildings. Lots of people milling about. Workers placing thousands of plants and towers of flowers preparing for the upcoming national holiday celebrations. Down another staircase to cross under yet another busy road to get to the gates of the Forbidden City. Bought the audio guide and set off with the masses. So many gates, bridges and temples, very interesting stories to hear and antiquities to see. After the main sites, Chris sat for a while in the garden section and I scurried off to some of the little side accommodation sections, a real rabbits warren of twists and turns.
Beijing came as a surprise –clear blue skies and no apparent pollution. Most of the Chinese were wearing light jackets and it was quite cool in the shade, but warm and fresh in the sun. We were delighted to be able to have such clear views of the city. We are not feeling crowded in by the people, it is surprisingly uncrowded.
We had a late lunch at about 3pm and watched three skinny 15 year olds demolish an incredible spread of food. Two girls and a boy scoffed their way through two football sized bowls of stew, 5 bowls of rice and a couple of other dishes. We fancied the apple with toffee and a runner was sent out to fetch three apples. We received a large mound of chopped apple dripping molten brown toffee and a side bowl of cold water. You dip the apple in the water to cool it and to set the scalding runny toffee. Very nice.
We discovered that our road is a short block from a major shopping boulevard with loads of fancy shops. Last night we discovered what lies in between . . the red light district! So many tiny little shops selling appliances.
We went back to Happy Harriet for dinner. Her son? welcomed us in and offered us English menus. We had just decided what we wanted when she swept up and seized them and gave us the Chinese ones again. We guessed that the prices are different. We restrained ourselves to one rice and one large meat dish, which we were delighted to find was actually Sweet and Sour. Fancy that . . they made it very close to the proper way!
You never know what is next in China. Today we watched a man strolling round the park IN REVERSE! And then there was Disco Dog - a man walking a small dog which had flashing multi-coloured lights on his collar.
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