Visit to Beijing

We had an opportunity to visit Beijing, China's capital, the last week of October.  We met with Peter, one of our students during the summer in Kunming.  We also had the chance to meet with Mark and his English class students.  Mark is the brother of a friend of ours from Kunming who is the same business as us.  Since we had the chance to help Mark, it was very nice to be able to encourage him and meet his students.  We also had the chance to see some Beijing sights.  John also had the opportunity to attend a seminar and meet some like-minded businessmen.

 This is Linda and Peter in front of the entrance to the Forbidden City adjacent to Tian-aman square.  Peter is an engineer and now works in Beijing.

This flower arrangement is over 46 feet high in the middle Tianaman Square.  I read an article stating it was in commemoration of the change in leadership that will occur in early November.  Here is the description on the placard: 

 "Blessing for our Motherland.  

The flower arrangement is 15 meters (46.5 ft) tall and 50 meters (155 ft) in diameter and uses a festive flower basket as its centerpiece which measures 11 meters (34 ft) at its widest.  The base is 2 meters (6.2 ft) high and also covered in flowers and lights up colorfully at night." 

by the Beijing Gardening and Greening Bureau.

It was quite a sight at night!

The gate to the Forbidden City was also lit up at night.  Very elegant.

The streets at the city center are clean and bright.  This street was loaded with stores featuring world famous brands for clothing, watches and cars. 

We visited the Beijing Botanical Gardens with Mark and his students.  A huge place with plenty of gardens, pathways, lakes and places to have a picnic.

 John, Linda, Mark (for left in the picture) and his students.  

Shot one:   We had a nice picnic under in the peach tree grove.  They brought plenty of food.  John even eat a chicken foot.  It was pretty spicy.  

Shot two:  Since I was leaning against a tree (lazy) I needed 2 shots to get everyone in.

John and Linda at the water's edge of one of the several lakes in the botanical garden.  Notice it was up against the foothills.  A gorgeous setting and beautiful fall day.