Beijing

Our last travel weekend was such a beautiful way to end our time in China. We saw some of the most iconic symbols of this country and reminisced what a difference 8 months can make! We officially have 10 days left before we fly back to the states and I honestly can't wrap my mind around it. The end of an era but a wonderful learning experience. From this blog to driving around on my moped, I have been stretched very far out of my comfort zone but I am beginning to feel the pride that has come with these experiences. Though I will never be able to fully articulate what this time has meant to me or how thankful I am, but I hope to be an ambassador for our program and for China when we get back. 

A big thank you to my parents for making this time possible and for the program directors for being such wonderful hosts in Shanghai! I promise to write again before the end of our 10 days, but I am already feeling a little weepy about leaving so I wanted to start my goodbyes now! Enough sappiness - here are the pictures from Beijing!

love,

kpk

The Birds Nest

- Beijing Olympics Summer 2008 - 

The Temple of Heaven

- Used by emperors in Ancient China to pray for good harvest and to spare the people from natural disaster -

Close-Up of the Temple

- Beautiful even on an typical, overcast Beijing day -

Tiananmen Square

- City square in the centre of Beijing, named after the Tiananmen gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace), separating it from the Forbidden City -

Inside the Forbidden City

- Young girls dressed up in traditional outfits posing for pictures - 

Forbidden City (and Rammie!)

- In the entrance gate recently restored for the 2008 Olympics -

Chinese Patriotism on the Great Wall

- Entered from Jinshanling, approximately two hours outside of downtown Beijing - 

Beverages on the Great Wall

- It was a beautiful day for our hour and a half hike along the wall -

Summer Palace

- Built when the capital was moved to Beijing in the 1100's - 

Da Dong Duck

- The most famous restaurant for Peking Duck, it was cooked in the center of the restaurant and carved beside your table!-

Lama Temple

- A unique stop that is famous monastery for Tibetan Buddhism - 

Hutong Lake

- A beautiful lake surrounded by restaurants hidden behind alleys of the old Beijing hutongs - 

798 Art District

- An area devoted to fun artwork and shops, we spent a couple hours roaming around galleries -