Traveling

Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City

Today was my first day out ON MY OWN. I'm having a huge problem with not being able to communicate- I can't even put this into words (haha)- but I am trying to get over it. I think I will get a tutor next week even for just an hour or 2 to build up my confidence.

So I took a cab to Tiananmen Square and upon exiting the cab had some guy try to sell me postcards- then a book- then more postcards. I have decided to not buy a thing from people who approach me- they are supremely annoying. Anyways, he followed me for a bit, explaining the history of the Forbidden City, and then brought me to an art shop... always something- the calligraphy really is amazing but I think I will wait until I am slightly more experienced before buying A THING without a fixed price! (BTW you have to bargain EVERYTHING here- what a hassle- and I am really really bad at bargaining. In English.) Anyways finally get to Tiananmen Square. Tian = Heaven, An= Peace, Men= gate. First thing you notice is the HUGE picture of Mao- amazing really- then when you take a second to look across the street you notice Tiananmen square (which can hold 1 million people!!!) and the gargantuan buildings around it. Everything is huge and gorgeous.
I walked in thru The Gate of Heavenly Peace (ya ok) and continued through a couple of gates until I reached the entrance to the Forbidden City. It cost 60 RMB to get in and I got the audio tour for 40RMB. This place is huge. It was the home of 2 dynasties of emperors and was off limits for 500 years (hence the name). I wandered for about 4 hrs... And I didn't even begin to see the whole thing. http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jsfoisy/my_photos (for photos)
I crossed over to Tiananmen Square when I was done- unfortunately it was a hazy day (like so many others) so I didn't get the best shots or view of it. It's just amazing to think of the demonstrations that have happened in the square- the amount of people it can hold, and has held, and the tanks rolling across it to get rid of them.

All in all a very touristy day.
So on the way back I decided to take the bus because it cost me 3$ to get there in a taxi and that's not in my budget (I'm not kidding) and the bus is only 15 cents. I thought I got on the right bus. Ah well, I rode it to the end of the line and then took it back, but this time I asked the bus guy to tell me which bus to take and he didn't know so he went around to all the ppl on the bus with my embassy card asking them which bus I should take- very nice really. (Oh ya the bus- it's quite interesting really. First off they are sooo crowded, always. You get on and there is this person that circulates and collects your fare from you, you don't pay as you get on). So eventually I get on the correct bus, and the bus person tells me where to get off. But I am still lost. Flagged a cab and got home.
The end ;)

posted by jjoollee @ 6:25 AM