The opening games started at 8 pm tonight.
On this lucky day, we visited the summer palace.
We boarded the buses and got underway with ease. With a little practice, we can maneuver hundreds of teens onto designated buses.
In the past, we were waved past the police checks. Not today. They stopped the buses. Our delightful guide, Jessica,went out, spoke with the police, and reboarded with two uniformed men with guns. Jessica explained: "these men just wanted to say hello".
Jessica has us all well trained. We smiled at the guards and loudly exclaimed "NIHAO!" (hello).
They smiled faintly. Do you suppose the police were glad to have a bus full of tourists shouting hello?
The summer palace was gorgeous. Although it was another sticky hot day, and overcast as well, the palace has a large lake. The breeze was nice. At the entrance there is a table with helpful information people.
By the gate, not only were there the usual pair of lions,
but also a giganormous DRAGON topiary.
The Chinese believe that they are descended from dragons.
Joseph and Kett make quite a pair.
Although MIT has the "infinite corridor", the summer palace has the world's longest corridor. It is open on the sides, with the lake on one side.
At the end of the corridor, we arrived at the marble boat. The marble boat once housed important political events, and later, under the Dowager Emperess Ci Xi, or "dragon lady", it was a spot for banquets.
Everywhere one looked, there was a breath taking scene.
By now, almost everyone in the group has started to carry a fan,
even Spencer.
This man was writing Chinese characters on the path.
There was more topiary.
After the summer palace, we went to the pearl factory. Lunch was held upstairs.
Tonight, we enjoyed a banquet of Peking Duck. A huge screen was placed in the dining area, and they showed a video of our escapades, including Tiananmen and the Great Wall. The video was made by Chinese International Tourism Agency. This was followed by the opening ceremonies as aired on Chinese Television.
Tonight, we enjoyed a banquet of Peking Duck. A huge screen was placed in the dining area, and they showed a video of our escapades, including Tiananmen and the Great Wall. The video was made by Chinese International Tourism Agency. This was followed by the opening ceremonies as aired on Chinese Television.
Tomorrow we have lunch downtown, shop, and then board trains. We will have an all night train ride to Shanghai.
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