Tienanmen Square

Monument to the people who fought

My Story

    Tienanmen Square in one word: ENORMOUS!!! The purpose of the square is, because every family had a square (or yard) so the emperor had to have one too. But, since he was the emperor his had to be massively larger than everyone else's.

More grandeur

Mao's tomb

    Connected to the square is Mao's tomb. And inside this huge building is his body encased in an all crystal casket so that the people can continue to view him, and remember his contribution, and the revolution he created. The good thing is that we went to the square on the right day, which is Monday by the way. When his tomb is open the line to go in averages three miles, give or take a family or two. So, if you ever decide to go, go on Monday...

National Museum of China

    When we arrived I was completely taken back at how vast it was, and compared to how many people were there and how not close we were, it was massive. Most of the square was stone, but there were a couple very long and slender gardens, a bell tower for something or other, and a couple monuments.
Side note: across the street was The Great Hall of People which is their 'congress' where they discuss issues of the people. There were vendors, like everywhere else, selling various momentous of your journey. The thing that made me laugh the most was the 'Mao watch' which depicted their previous revolutionary with his hand up as the background of the watch. In my opinion gaudy and probably just a tourist thing, because I have yet to see a local, or tourist, wearing one.

The Pictures

    Top picture is one of two monuments of the common people along side the military men charging to the future. Second picture is a small portrait of the garden at the square. The third picture is the tomb of the one and only Chairmen Mao, their title not mine. Last one is the National Museum of China that was connected to the square.

Where 'ya been? Glad you asked!

Let me know you where I've been.

Below is a map of most of the places I visit in Beijing, China. As I write posts about each place I will put a link to them here. Cool fact: All of these places are still in Beijing. Beijing is, like Washington D.C., not in a province, but is instead it's own area.

Tiananmen Square



View Visits in Beijing in a larger map

McDonald's!!! 麦当劳!!!

McDonalds!

    So, for some people McDonald's isn't such a big deal, but when you are craving something from home it comes pretty close. We, professor's niece and I, have been wanting something for lunch other than rice, and this defiantly hit the spot. Plus we had the chance to see an American franchise in another country, and for me that is one of the things I have been wanting to see.

    All three of us got a McDouble with fries and a coke. The people behind the counter were pretty quick for the number of people there, because just like the rest of China it was packed with people. The people at the register all had a few sodas sitting by the register for them to just grab and put on the tray instead of waiting. They fries tasted like they were fried in a different kind of oil, the beef had a different consistency, and the cheese tasted more like cheddar than american. Besides the minor inconsistencies everything was the same which was great. We were all craving something different and American, and this hit the spot.

    Yes the menus were in characters, but fortunately they had an English menu they could hand to us.

A Day of Firsts

My first time on a commercial airline, my first time in Las Angeles, CA, my first time in China, my first taxi ride, my first experience trying to buy from someone who doesn't know English, and right now my first Chinese game show!
     I have finally ridden on a commercial airline, but 12 hours was not as fun as 4. The flight from st. Louis to Las Angeles was perfectly smooth. While we were waiting on to taxi out to the runway I started talking to the guy sitting next to me who was kind enough to explain everything about the flight to me (i.e. all the strange sounds and what to expect). LAX was an interesting experience. We were delayed at the docking area because somebody forgot to go and flip the switch to move the hallway thing out to let us off the airplane. The terminal I landed at and the terminal I departed from were on nearly opposite sides of that huge place so I had to high tail it to the other side.

See You Later

Well its that day. I'm heading off to Beijing. Please say a prayer for me if you read this for my safe travel there, stay, and return. I plan on posting every few days while I'm there about my experiences, tips, and on culture stuff and things... (English teachers that read this, please don't harp on me for that one, it's a blog)

Anyway, so yea. See you later!

Luggage Shopping

Luggage

     While I was looking for luggage I ran into a friend of mine's dad, we'll call him James, who knew a lot about luggage from his family's travels. Now I have the opportunity to pass this knowledge on to you.

This is what I learned:

• Before even stepping foot in a store check your airline's website for luggage requirements! This will save you from a lot of trouble.
• The general (make sure you check your airline) requirements are:
• 62 inches total: That is height + width + depth. Height is from floor to top of handle. (take a tape measure)



Okay, so I thought it was funny.

• 50 pound max
• Don't buy bright or gaudy designs, or fancy looking bags. Flashy colors, attractive designs, and expensive luggage say that you have money. Thieves in the airport will look for things like that.
• Four wheels or two? Four wheels allow the case to spin and move easier than two, and they're harder to knock over especially if there is a bag hanging around the expandable arm. But, they're more expensive. Two wheels look to be more durable, and probably easier to take over rough terrain.

Travel Agents! & Flight Change? What??

Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.  ~Robert C. Gallagher

   Things change, times change, and FLIGHTS change! I wasn't expecting that... Oh well. I'll just have to take this change in stride. Something that I defiantly recommend is that you get in contact with a travel agency. The travel agent called and let me know of the change, gave me a couple options I could change to, and bam it was done!

Flight change

   I was lucky enough to get an internship this summer, and while I was on a lunch break I get a call from my travel agent with the news that every first time traveler wants to hear. 'I just got notified that your flight has been changed.' For some odd reason the airline changed it, and the reason escapes me; be it consolidating travelers or saving gas, I don't know. But at least the airline company let my travel agent know that it happened. 


Imagine this:

     I'm walking through the terminal for my first international flight, my first time to be on a commercial airline, and even more important! the first time I get to use my awesomely manly luggage.

I walk up to the counter...

     "Hi can I see your ticket?"

     "Sure here ya go."