Becoming a man...

[Joanne]

As Mao said, you're not a real man until you climb the Great Wall.

And not just a real man, but a good man haha

 

That's evidence enough.

[SheLikesME?]

Yep Jess we were at the wall near the tomb too in 2005/6.

 

Wife, Son, Daughter and I made it to the end wall. We didn't ride the slide though

http://i39.tinypic.com/2llkmm9.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/6ypfky.jpg

 

Son and I with some of the renovation getting ready for olympics behind us.

http://i42.tinypic.com/6hmj3o.jpg

 

Summer palace lake was frozen over enough to walk on. Son took this good shot:

http://i41.tinypic.com/16beas7.jpg

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

Before leaving Beijing, we made our way over to Tiananmen square to view the Changing of the Guard, and raising of the flag. Had no idea there would be thousands of people waiting there also. I used an older digital cam to shoot this, but the sound is good.

 

Edited February 23, 2009 by ShaQuaNew (see edit history)

[NewDay2006]

When I visited Beijing once, I heard a tv commerical that said, you haven't visited China until you ate Peking Duck and you are not a man until you climb the Great Wall. Well, I did both. Climbing the Wall was tough, It was quite a work-out... I found if you go on a diagonal from one side to the other side of the steps is actually a little easier that going straight up the steps.

 

I'll always remember when I arrived at the Great Wall a Chinese Vendor yelled loudly to me across the court.... "Black Power,brother" as he held up a fist. I laughed loudly and returned his salute ... I must say that tickled me more than anytime I visited China... but I have had so many great times in China, I can talk about them so much... but just the same, I'm sure all of you have expereinced the same.... well maybe not the Salute. B)

 

One more story... I was in Tainamen Square and I started to take a picture of a soldier and he said no ... you know what ?? I didn't take it... do you think I'm crazy? He had a Gun

Edited February 23, 2009 by NewDay2006 (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Yes - the two places I was admonished to not take pictures were of the soldiers in Tianamen Square, and around the consulate - either of the line outside, or of the fourth floor screening area.

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

When I visited Beijing once, I heard a tv commerical that said, you haven't visited China until you ate Peking Duck and you are not a man until you climb the Great Wall. Well, I did both. Climbing the Wall was tough, It was quite a work-out... I found if you go on a diagonal from one side to the other side of the steps is actually a little easier that going straight up the steps.

 

I'll always remember when I arrived at the Great Wall a Chinese Vendor yelled loudly to me across the court.... "Black Power,brother" as he held up a fist. I laughed loudly and returned his salute ... I must say that tickled me more than anytime I visited China... but I have had so many great times in China, I can talk about them so much... but just the same, I'm sure all of you have expereinced the same.... well maybe not the Salute. B)

 

One more story... I was in Tainamen Square and I started to take a picture of a soldier and he said no ... you know what ?? I didn't take it... do you think I'm crazy? He had a Gun

 

I got a real chuckle from reading that you negotiated the Great Wall steps on a diagonal. I thought that was my idea! I recall my wife having a tough time at one particularly steep portion, and I suggested that she try the diagonal side-to-side thing. I demonstrated and she agreed.

 

My wife was told of a little known hot spot for Beijing (Peking) Duck, which was tough to find. I believe it's the same place visited by the Hutchins Brothers on their Somewhere in China series. You just gotta have the duck when you're there.

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/2lyphe.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/5p341z.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/33ndusj.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/ilx1si.jpg

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

More duck pics...

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/10zolts.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/25s4yut.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/etxlp2.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2hg76vo.jpg

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

Yes - the two places I was admonished to not take pictures were of the soldiers in Tianamen Square, and around the consulate - either of the line outside, or of the fourth floor screening area.

 

Do you mean these guys?

 

http://i40.tinypic.com/2isxvn9.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/iglx8i.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/m7zww5.jpg

[Randy W]

Now try taking one face on!

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

Now try taking one face on!

 

Right. Most guards don't much care for cameras in their face.

 

 

As these guys marched by, everyone pretty much knew to get out of the way.

 

http://i44.tinypic.com/2s78l0i.jpg

Edited February 23, 2009 by ShaQuaNew (see edit history)

[Randy W]

http://i41.tinypic.com/292tulf.jpg

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/25rku2f.jpg

 

 

I count 4 pairs of eyes on me here

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/2eoznlu.jpg

[Randy W]

http://i43.tinypic.com/wh07ww.jpg

 

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/30rmd1l.jpg

[sleepless in Houston&CQ]

 

 

I count 4 pairs of eyes on me here

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/2eoznlu.jpg

 

Randy is smart those guys ain't packing

but

If you notice those eyes don't look like "Happy Eyes"

[usaRichard]

 

 

I count 4 pairs of eyes on me here

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/2eoznlu.jpg

 

Randy is smart those guys ain't packing

but

If you notice those eyes don't look like "Happy Eyes"

never mind "read deleted post"

Edited February 24, 2009 by usaRichard (see edit history)

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

 

I count 4 pairs of eyes on me here

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/2eoznlu.jpg

 

Randy, you've really captured some great photos! Good photography. Good camera.

 

I need to get me one of those.