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we had one lesson in Mandarin before we left where we went over a page of common phrases.
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we carried this folded piece of paper and when we got talking to someone would refer to it. Everyone was always very interested in what was written on it and we found ourselves going over the pronunciation of these words with several locals.
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somewhere near our hotel in Beijing
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Between two artificial lakes is Yinding bridge.
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Mark and a somewhat random pile of bicycle parts.
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The narrow streets and alleyways are known as Hutong. The area near our hotel is a maze of them.
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Most of the buildings date to the Ming and Qing dynasties and were limited by law to be no higher than the buildings in the forbidden city - meaning that most are one story.
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Sparks fly as the coal briquette that will heat our hotpot is fired up.
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while waiting on dinner this gentleman set up his camera to take pictures of Dave. He later gave us his business card - he is a photographer working for the ministry of something or other... folks later told us Dave would likely end up in a brochure.
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Our hotpot ... fired by a lump of coal, the broth of ginger and other mild spices is used to flash cook thinly sliced meet and vegetables.
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some soldiers...
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16MB Movie: people singing in Jingshan park
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Several blocks south of our hotel Jingshan Park overlooks the forbidden city - we climbed a quite high artificial hill to get a look.
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16MB Movie: Jingshan park, overlooking the Forbidden City.
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Looking out to modern Beijing, the city is ringed with high rise construction as well as coal fired power plants.
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Dave and the crest of the artificial hill.
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8.7MB Movie: Jingshan park, people playing with large musical yo-yo type things.
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Tian'anmen gate and throngs of Chinese tourists - we were fortunate enough to be there during the national day celebrations.
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The national day festivities included a series of floral decorations in Tian'amen square. This one outside the great hall of the people is mount everest and the lamasery in Lhasa, Tibet. They really want everyone to know that Tibet is part of China.
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14MB Movie: Tian'amen square
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