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China

A 14-day adventure by Destination Unknown Read more
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    A Good Lunch

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 68 °F

    There was more of a selection of things that I was able to eat than things that I couldn't so, for one of the first times since we arrived here in China, I felt satisfied and full after a meal. I'm hoping that the rest of our meals in China will be like this but I'm thinking that they probably won't.Read more

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    After Lunch

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    As we were leaving the restaurant some of the people from our group wanted to shop at the stalls set up outside the restaurant but Lisa, our tour guide, kept telling them that there was no time and they should get on the bus. I understand that she has to keep a schedule but she needs to loosen up a bit and let the group enjoy themselves. Too much regimentation is never fun.Read more

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    On the Road

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    We're back on the bus and on the way to our next destination. The traffic seems to be gone and we're making good time. I'm ready to see more of Beijing! Some people in the tour group are grumbling because they couldn't go shopping but Kathy and I aren't paying attention to them. We're having too much fun to complain!Read more

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    Olympic Village

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    Our next stop was the site of the old Olympic Village when China hosted the games back in 2008. I think it's nice when the host cities leave up the monuments and stadiums connected with the games. Not only can future visitors see it but residents of the city get to enjoy using the facilities.Read more

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    Yingying

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    Statues of the Chinese Olympic mascots are standing around the Olympic Village grounds. This is Yingying, the Tibetan antelope, who represents earth. He is yellowish orange and he wishes everyone good health. Decorative elements from Western China appear on his head.Read more

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    Kathy and Nini

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    Nini, the swallow, represents the sky. She is green and her wish for everyone is good luck. Her design is inspired by those on Chinese kites. Swallow is pronounced “Yan” in Chinese, and an ancient name for Beijing was “Yanjing.Read more

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    Pals

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    Here's a shot of me posing with Nini. Since this is a full body shot, it really shows the scale of these figures. They are pretty big. I'm surprised that none of the other people from are tour group are taking pictures of these mascots but we're the only ones who seem interested in them. Well, it's better this way. We don't have to wait for other people to finish with each figure before we can take our pictures.Read more

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    Jingjing

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    Jingjing the panda represents the forest. He is black and white, of course, and his wish for everyone is happiness. Porcelain paintings from the Song dynasty (960-1279 AD) were the inspiration for the lotus flowers on his head.Read more

    See translation
  • Destination UnknownChinaDestination Unknown

    Beibei

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    Beibei the fish is a reference to the element of water. She is blue and her wish for everyone is prosperity. The waves on her head are based on a design in traditional Chinese painting.

    See translation
  • Destination UnknownChinaDestination Unknown

    Where is Everybody?

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    I don’t know where the rest of our tour group went but Kathy and I seem to be all alone here. I’m not worried though. We’re close to where the tour bus is parked so everyone will have to walk right past us to get back to the bus. In the meantime, we’re enjoying a bit of time to ourselves.Read more

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    The Birds Nest

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    We’re thinking that the rest of our group went to get a closer look at the Beijing National Stadium. This stadium, also known as the Birds Nest, was where most of the 2008 Olympic Games were played. I’d love to attend the Olympics someday. I think it would be so much fun.Read more

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    Hello from the Birds Nest!

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    The opening and closing ceremonies for the 2022 Winter Olympics are scheduled to be held in the Beijing National Stadium. After the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Beijing National Stadium will witness the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics and become the first ceremony venue for both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in the world.Read more

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    Beijing National Stadium

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    Beijing National Stadium has now become the most important public space in China holding various sports events and recreational activities, and it also functions as a tourist attraction.
    More than 60 events are held in Beijing National Stadium every year, including sports events, equestrian performances, operas, and concerts. The next most anticipated event held there will be the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics.Read more

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    Pangu Plaza

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    Lisa, our tour guide, pointed this building out to us and she seemed very proud of it. Pangu Plaza, also known as the Dragon Building, was built around the time of the 2008 Olympic Games and sits across from the Bird’s Nest stadium. Now, Pangu Plaza is a very luxurious hotel and high end office space. It’s very unique looking architecture and really does look like a dragon, sort of.Read more

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    Bye, Birds Nest!

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    It’s time for us to start heading a bit closer to where the tour bus was parked. We weren’t given much time to see the Olympic Village and it’s nearly over. I’m surprised that we still haven’t seen anyone from our group yet. They always like to cut things down to the last minute!Read more

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    Time for a Selfie

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    Kathy wanted us to take a few pictures of ourselves but, without a selfie stick, we look very close. Well, at least we fill up the frame! We’ll need to get more practice with these sort of photos. I wish there was a way to zoom out a bit.Read more

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    It’s Us

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    Lisa, our tour guide, saw us taking selfies and offered to take a photo of us together. That was very nice of her to do. I had to do a lot of editing on this photo though. She was shooting right into the sun which means that we come out very dark and the background is very bright. It’s okay though. I understand that not everyone knows these guidelines or why they are important. She helped us and that’s what matters.Read more

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    Huanhuan

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    We had a bit more time so, rather than wandering too far we decided to take some more pictures of the Olympic mascots. Huanhuan is a child of fire. He is red and transmits the passion of sport as well as symbolizes the Olympic flame and spirit. Dunhuang grotto art inspired the decoration on his head, together with certain traditional good-luck designs.Read more

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    My Favorite Mascot

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    I’m thinking that perhaps this is my favorite of all the Olympic mascots. Other than their colors they all look very similar but there’s something about Huanhuan that just reaches out to me.

  • Destination UnknownChinaDestination Unknown

    The Fab Five

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    The people from our group were coming back now and some of them wanted to get shots with the mascots, like we did. Before it got too crowded, I was able to get a portrait style shot of each mascot. There was a small shop near these statues that sold Olympic souvenirs. I wanted to get some figures or stuffed dolls of the mascots but, unfortunately, they didn’t have any. Maybe, when we get back home, I can find some on eBay?Read more

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    Youyou

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 66 °F

    I’m not sure who Youyou is but this figure was standing just slightly apart from the five Olympic mascots. Whoever he is, he looks sad and forlorn. He’s obviously been neglected so I’m guessing that if he is some sort of Olympic mascot he must be a very minor and unimportant one.Read more

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    Riding the Bus

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 64 °F

    We’re on the tour bus again, on the way to our next destination. I love looking out the windows, watching Beijing passing by us. This looks like what the “real” Beijing is. We haven’t seen anything like this before but I’m thinking that this is where the regular people live and a brief look at what their life might be like. So interesting! I’d love to know more about what everyday life is like in China. I’m surprised that the rest of our tour group don’t seem to be taking any interest in this.Read more

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    So Interesting!

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 64 °F

    The lecture we were given about traditional Chinese medicine was absolutely fascinating to me. Everything they said made so much sense to me and it made me wonder why this type of medicine isn’t more widespread and accepted throughout the rest of the world.Read more

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    I’m a Believer!

    September 28, 2018 in China ⋅ 64 °F

    Chinese medicine, I learned, is more focused on prevention rather than treatment. I think that this is a great idea. The doctor giving the lecture told us that if you get sick it means that your doctor has failed. Everyone should be treated to maintain their health not just after they get sick. This makes so much sense to me!Read more