We awoke Monday morning to a buffet breakfast at the hotel and were greeted by Ting Ting at 9:30AM to begin the first day in Beijing. We arrived at the Temple of Heaven and make the long trek through the gardens where it seemed everyone in Beijing was exercising. When we were here last time, it was February and cold; however, this time there were thousands of people and it was really amazing to see. We continued past the card games and socializing groups that sit and sing, play instruments and just talk and made it to the Temple area that is very sacred to the Chinese people. The premier of China attends the Temple in the spring to pray for a successful growing season of crops to feed the Chinese people.
Next stop was the Pearl Market, the first of two crazy buildings of buying "things" in China. I think most everyone made a purchase from a purse to a wallet to red tennis shoes to watches. Then we had lunch at an ethnic Chinese restaurant that was very good and featured a short dance program of native music. Next was meeting Billy and Jingyi to go to the dress shop so Maddie could try on her bridesmaid dress. We then visited Billy's apartment which was nearby in an "interesting neighborhood". This was a much better set up than the first apartment he had, but the building and neighborhood still leave a little to be desired from good old home. It is where they will live after their wedding and they love it. They re surrounded by a street market selling fruits and vegetables, so there is a lot of activity and people.
The day was capped off with a traditional roast duck dinner at Da Dong restaurant, the new roast duck restaurant in Beijing. The food is all organized in pre-designed order so there are no menus or ordering. It was incredible - each course different and delicious. We got to be bed by 10PM to try and catch up with our time change and get re-organized.
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