Thurs, 4/12. Unloaded at the south end of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. 3 1/2 hours later, we exited at the north end. The square is pronounced “T-a-men”. Security was thin. Cleanup crews were many, riding around on three wheeled scooters. Large monument to those who died in the “struggle” stands before Mao’s Tomb, with school children guarding. The Forbidden City is like a pregame show. Gate after gate after gate before the main attraction. By the time I reached the chief building it all seemed more over-the-top than impressive. But the place is so huge, it stuns the senses. Various residential areas.  There don’t seem to be any gardens in the traditional sense. Rock statues. No sign of kitchens or baths. Curious.  The buildings’ trims were beautifully painted or dulled by age.  I have this image of an old man repainting everything, then his son repainting it all again, followed by his son.  It’s that large.

After a lunch of noodles with an abundance of optional add-ons (a welcome change). We visited a pair of “towers”: Drum and Bell. We climbed the very steep steps of the bell tower. Truly impressive sized bell, the largest in China the sign said. Then another tea demonstration/sales pitch. Following this there was a “rickshaw” ride around the local community, which I passed on. It seemed too much like a cliche and there are pedicabs in San Diego. I just walked, stopping at a tiny fresh air bar run by two young girls. Had a tequila infused beer from the Netherlands. One girl spoke a little English, but said she’d lived in France for six years.

The community had a central park with exercise stations and gaming tables. Mahjong game with surreptitious gambling going on.  Everyone seemed to know each other. Restful.

Dinner was noodles again with beef and chicken. Excellent. Spring rolls with nothing but beef and shrimp inside. Bland.  A kind of tapioca pudding.  Not for me.