Ni Hao

Yesterday was amazing! Our first tour were to the Hutong residences. These are the oldest neighorhoods in Beijing. We had to be driven around in rickshaws because the streets were very narrow. Once we entered the hutong, we entered old Beijing. Beijing was once hidden behind city walls and the citizens had walls built around there homes with courtyards in the center. We were taken to a private residence and were allowed to walk around and look at the home. The owner was an old woman was very proud of her home and was very hospitable. As your riding around all that is seen are 10 foot high walls with wooden doors. Most were open and you are able to have a quick glimpse of the courtyards as you rode by. Our guide was a young girl from the neighborbhood. She was great. Short, spunky and very proud of her culture. After tipping our chauffer for his hard work in riding Joe and myself around, off we were to lunch.

Lunch was delicious. All I've had was white rice, eggplant and tofu. The meat courses look a little strange but Joe is enjoying them very much. I think we'll finaly eat at all those resaurants cnear our home that we have been missing out on. Our meals are not served with soy sauce and I always need to ask for it. The waitres look at me with a puzzled look everytime I ask for it. It must not be common to have it on the table.

Our next stop was the Summer Palace. This is where the emperors lived half the year. This is a huge and magnificent park with a massive lake. The walk to the Palace from the entrance is about one and half hour, so we opted to take the boat to the Palace and walk back. Good choice. As we walked through the grounds it felt as if we were walking in an old Chinese scroll painting. It looked so unreal. As we walked through the courtyards of the palace, I felt that I was in the movie Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
Eventhough we are touring and enjoying this incredible city, Penelope does not leave our minds. We are just counting the days that we are united with her.