Greetings from Beijing!!!

**Pawsitive Thinking** · 07-27-2007, 08:42 AM

Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow - so much to see!!!!

We also went to a pearl market where yours truly was chosen to model the necklaces

Hubby bought me a black pearl bracelet

Having quite an early night as we have to tackle the Great Wall tomorrow

Saw a bat flying overhead tonight which is a sign of something.....happiness, prosperity, longevity....I forget - but I know it is a good thing

**pitc9** · 07-27-2007, 12:11 PM

Glad to hear you're feeling better!
Can't wait to hear how your visit to the great wall went!!!

**Maya & Inka's mommy** · 07-28-2007, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Brody's Mum

Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow - so much to see!!!!

We also went to a pearl market where yours truly was chosen to model the necklaces

Hubby bought me a black pearl bracelet

Having quite an early night as we have to tackle the Great Wall tomorrow

Saw a bat flying overhead tonight which is a sign of something.....happiness, prosperity, longevity....I forget - but I know it is a good thing

Wow, that sounds so great!!

I wish I could see the Great Wall....

**Pawsitive Thinking** · 07-28-2007, 08:59 AM

Been a long but unforgettable day! The Great Wall was amazing but so busy otherwise we would have made it to the top (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

)

Had a great lunch with some lovely fellow trippers and ended up at the Ming Tombs where some gorgeous little boy took a fancy to my blonde plait!

All packed to leave for Yangshuo tomorrow for a few days

**K9karen** · 07-30-2007, 12:10 AM

Sounds so exciting! It's one of the places I wanted to go, but never got to, when I was a travel agent.

Had to laugh at being stared at.. Decades ago, my boss was one of the 1st tourists to China. She was walking down Taminen Sq in her red winter coat when she "felt" eyes on her. She stopped, turned around and there were at least 50 people following her, pointing to her red coat and nylons and shoes!!! She offered the little kids some M&M candies but they recoiled in shock, thinking they were medicine pills! She had to bite into them to show the chocolate, then they scarfed them down!!! The food wasn't great (to her) in those days..lots of pickled ducks feet and octopus with the suckers on! And she had to drink bottled water! WOW! Have times changed!!!

Can't wait to see pictures!!! And lots of them!!!

**Giselle** · 07-30-2007, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by Brody's Mum

Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow - so much to see!!!!

We also went to a pearl market where yours truly was chosen to model the necklaces

Hubby bought me a black pearl bracelet

Having quite an early night as we have to tackle the Great Wall tomorrow

Saw a bat flying overhead tonight which is a sign of something.....happiness, prosperity, longevity....I forget - but I know it is a good thing

Ohh, I miss China. Half of my family is still back there. Granted, they're in HK/Guanzhou, but it's almost the same thing

I hope you bargained for those pearls, though! Hate to tell you, but a lot of stuff there is fake. Even though I know this is true, I still love to buy things there. Just be sure to bargain! My cousin's tip: Never pay for more than 3/4 the original price. If possible, bargain to at least half of the original price.

It really works.

**Pawsitive Thinking** · 08-02-2007, 06:40 AM

Last evening in Yangshuo - had to wait for only computer with internet access to be free!!

This place is beyond beautiful!!!! Been cycling, bamboo rafting and shopping!!! Back to Beijing in the morning

**pitc9** · 08-02-2007, 04:19 PM

Thanks for posting while your on vacation, it makes me feel like I'm there too!

**Pawsitive Thinking** · 08-03-2007, 09:29 PM

Spending the last few days in the most gorgeous hotel ever built! We have a 6 poster bed and the most fabulous furniture! There is a fish pond just outside our door and we had breakfast surrounded by budgies and parakeets.

Have only seen 2 cats the entire time (both white with ginger tails so I guess it could have been the same cat

)

Seen quite a few dogs - and lots of puppies but they all seem to be looked after. The ones here are mainly little Pekes.

Am really enjoying the markets - hubby is a first class haggler!!! Tesco is in for a shock when he gets back

**Lilith Cherry** · 08-03-2007, 09:49 PM

Glad you are enjoying China! Which city are you in now -- the high class hotels there are like palaces aren't they.. you can get thoroughly spoiled!

Most people who keep pet cats in Chinese cities keep them indoors so they wont be stolen ( or even worse , eaten

)

Last summer I bought a young friend to Canada with me and she tried to bargain whever we went which was fun though sometimes embarrassing. In some cases though it actually worked!

Have fun!

**Karen** · 08-03-2007, 10:14 PM

We just regretted not buying pearls for Paul's mom when we got home from China, being as they were 1/10th the price they are here. We had our guide/translator/friend who not only was apparently an expert haggler, but insisted on inspecting the merchandise - even running her fingers along the edges of every silk scarf we bought. She said afterwards it was her mother's training - she wouldn't buy *anything* without a complete inspection of it first.