I woke up early to make sure I was able to get breakfast. I went downstairs, dressed warmly and ready to get started for a brand new day! I sat down at this table that was set so nicely. I went up for food and was a bit confused of where to start. The buffet was everywhere, in the middle and in the back. So I followed the crowd aka my group as they all started to get little things like their vegetarian dumplings, some bread and butter, and some other delicious food including some soup.
In addition, to getting dumplings, I made sure to get a cup of the hotels Jasmine tea, a tea that I had never really tried before, but it was actually really good! As the last people in my field program group were heading down I made sure to finish up. As I started to head to the bus I made sure to grab a to-go cup with some coffee and adding soybean milk into the coffee. As I headed on the bus, I luckily found a spot next to my friend Zena. We bonded over our same scarf that we had except in different colors, and how magical it is, being able to change into 7 different styles just by one scarf! Today was our day that we would see the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, have a wooden rickshaw ride through hutongs, and make dumplings in a local families home.
****Onto the Temple of Heaven***
We arrived at the Temple of Heaven and this was one of the monuments I was really excited about visiting in China. The building looked so beautiful, with all the colors. Our tour guide Cathy talked for a short period, knowing we were all anxious and wanting to take pictures of the beautiful building. Soon she let us go, and I rushed over to be in front of the Temple of Heaven. Taking a few pictures, I was amazed and wondered how long it took to build it? Did they build it for someone? Nevertheless, I did not want to bother Cathy with those questions now. I sat down on the stone, feeling the cold through my pants. I took of my jacket and put my hair up half way. I asked my friend Kate to take a picture of me, and then along came my friend Menna. She was either on a field program or exploring on her own independently, but either way I found her, and she found me, and we took a few pictures together! Then, I asked my friend and roommate on the trip Sandra to take a few pictures of me and Kate. Soon Kate, Sandra, and Sandra's friend Sara, were all getting into the picture! Before we knew it, it was time to meet up with the group again, and our time visiting the Temple of Heaven was over. I was able to sit on it, take some pictures, and poloraids of it, and even just enjoy its beauty! Today is going to be an amazing (jam packed) day!
**** Onto the Tian'anmen Square****
We arrived to the Tian'anmen Square. I really did not know what to expect, and as we walked around I sort of felt like we were being watched with all the visible cameras. I definitely have to say the Tian'anmen Square is a more sacred site, with a picture of a man in the front. Fun Fact: The Tian'anmen Square is the seventh-largest city square in the world. Also I learned after the tour with Cathy that the Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City are separate but still in the same region.
Tian'anmen Square
Forbidden City
***Onto the wooden rickshaw ride through hutongs***
After exploring some of great sites in Beijing, we hopped into wooden rickshaw rides that would take us around through hutongs ( narrow streets or alleys.) It was two people per cart, with a blanket to keep us warm, because that was the limit that the person pulling the rickshaw ride could pull. The ride was really nice, because my legs were tired after walking all day, and exploring Beijing's beauty. Also I learned that the dumplings at a local home were later in the night, so the rickshaw ride was to help pass time in a way, but also show us how narrow the streets in China are.
*** Onto making dumplings in a local families home***
After the rickshaw ride, the group was split up,( because there were so many of us) and half of us went to one house and the other half went to another. I went to one of the houses. As we got to the house, we sat down, taking off our coats and gathering around tables. Soon a Chinese lady came over and started teaching the group about how to make dumplings. We gathered around, watching as she rolled the dough, then pinched the dough to form a dumpling, and soon she added some ground up vegetables paste to the dumpling before closing it up. Soon we all had the chance to make our own dumpling.
After we made the dumplings we headed back to the hotel. I am extremely excited for heading to the Great Wall of China tomorrow! Stay toned!!
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