Day 12 ~ Monday 8/7 ~ Chengdu to Beijing

Another early morning as we departed the hotel at 7.30am by bus in light of our 10am flight to Beijing. Although it took 30 minutes to do the transaction, I was able to buy a Sichuan Hotel robe for take home as a gift for Ryan and college. His dorms will have shared bathrooms at the end of the hall and since he and Brian so loved wearing robes and slippers in Chengdu, it seemed to be the right one to get for him (not to mention with an 8rmb to 1dollar exchange rate, the price was lovely). The China Air plane and meal were again top-shelf and superb. The only low point was again discovering that there is no concept of “Lost and Found” in China … once something is left, it is gone for good. Alas, we did not get reconncected with Megan’s nebulizer as we had hoped wotuld happen L

Arriving in Beijing, after getting our luggage and bus, we rode to the south side of town to the Holiday Inn ~ one fine and beautiful establishment. Again, our rate averaged $45 per night per room (2 per room) continuing our experience of a low cost journey.

It is our understanding that Bill & Michelle live in China to learn the language as well as because to minister in China while living here is so much lower than the US.

After checking in, we went to the Temple of Heaven which was not far from our Holiday Inn. These sacred grounds were quite beautiful and as I had taken the audio guide, I was able to learn about these sacred Chinese grounds used by many emperors for prayers and sacrifices to God(s). There was no mention of Budda in the tour or any sign of Buddas on the grounds, so I was left to wonder when this world vision from India had arrived. The Temple of Heaven had a great center mound where prayers were offered, an animal slaughter house for offerings, and a Hall of Harvest for Prayer. The grounds and buildings where magnificent and the culture treasures of China are well preserved for visitors.

Around Beijing the continuation of my Culture of Contrasts label was seen … beautiful rose gardens surrounding the highway interchanges with magnificent white rod iron fences and lighting, with a backdrop of old communist China dilapidated apartments, and new glistening highrises … and in the crevices here and there we saw hovels of living with plastic and metal shreds for roofs held on by bricks set on top. And the bathrooms? Still bad!