Look what I found…

…in Hong Kong. I walked around the corner and ….ta da!!!! Beautiful and amazing. Inside and out.

A few more highlights…

… and must-sees we hit before we said ta-ta to Beijing.

Temple of Heaven

Like the Dome of the Rock, but in China and not Muslim. Believe it or not, it is bigger than the Forbidden City. But smaller than the Summer Palace with an area of about 2,700,000 square meters. The Temple was built in 1420 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven. As Chinese emperors called themselves 'The Son of Heaven,'  they dared not to build their own dwelling, 'Forbidden City' bigger than a dwelling for Heaven.

Tiananmen Square

The Summer Palace

The Summer palace of some emperor in some dynasty. Yes, I stopped trying to keep track. It is the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, even bigger in the Forbidden Palace. If that is possible. It greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, which also has long since been recognized as 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'.

Rickshaw Tour

 

Drum Tower

 

Ahhhh. Beijing. You were fun and exciting, and really, a dream come true. But now it is time to good-bye.

a wonder to behold

It has a history of over 2000 years. It stretches 5,500 miles across a very large country. It was originally separate walls built to protect the northern cities of China. During the Ming Dynasty Emperor Qin Shihuang succeeded in joining the walls together to fend off the invasions from the Huns in the north. It also stood as a symbol of a united China. Since then, it has served as a monument of the Chinese nation throughout history.

Can you say surreal? Yes. You know one of those things it would be amazing to do one day but you never actually believe it will come to pass. That was me. It was a wonder to behold. It was great…

Taste of Tang

At a time when Europe was wondering through the Dark Ages, China was experiencing a golden age of cosmopolitan culture and enlightenment during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Xi’an was the capital of China during this period of enlightenment and was the most populous city in the world at the time. Marked by strong and benevolent rule, successful diplomatic relationships, economic expansion, and a cultural efflorescence of cosmopolitan style, Tang China emerged as one of the greatest empires in the medieval world.

After being mesmerized for two hours at dinner and show in Xi’an of the music and art of the Tang Dynasty, I fell in love with the beauty and culture of this era. China is beautiful and amazing.   

Terracotta Warriors

One of the main attractions that brings people to Xi’an are the Terracotta Warriors. You’ve probably seen them on National Geographic or the History Channel. I had seen pictures of them, but I didn’t know the background. Nonetheless, I was still very excited to get to see them. Like I said, old stuff fascinates me. The Terracotta Warriors were built by Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, in 3rd Century B.C. Ok, he actually didn’t build them all himself, but he ordered 700,000 workers to build what archeologists estimate to be over 8,000 life-size, individualized soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses to guard his empire in the afterlife, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. I’ve concluded that this emperor had a bit of an ego and he took it with him to the afterlife.

A couple of centuries after the emperor died, irate rebellious peasants broke into the tomb and destroyed many of the warriors. Since the discovery of warriors in 1974 archeologists have worked to reassemble them. They are on exhibit here and other museums around the world. But if you are going to see a Terracotta Warrior it might as well be here.

week 4: Xi’an

My fascination with ancient cities and really old stuff made Xi’an an immediate intrigue for me. Xi’an (pronounced she-on, translated means western peace) is one of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, it is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, having held that position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history, including Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang.

Consistent with other ancient Chinese cities Xi’an has a city wall that was built during the Ming Dynasty (600 years ago). What is unique about Xi’an’s city wall is that it is completely intact and original. The Chinese built things to last.

The Drum tower. Built in 1380 during the Ming dynasty. The characters and décor around the tower symbolize good fortune and was beaten at the end of the day. It is also an excellent landmark so you know where you are and which way you need to go to find the markets or get back to the hotel.

 

march 19th passed me by

So I just realized that March 19th came and went and I didn’t even acknowledge it. Why is this an important day you may ask. March 19th was the day, a number of years ago, I was on my way to Brazil to begin an adventure of a lifetime. It was in Brazil:  I fell in love with South America for the first time. I learned that a home is not complete without a blender and a compression pan. I learned the proper way to prepare rice and beans. I discovered maracuja and several different kinds of bananas and mangos. I fell in love with Brazilian food and have never completely been satisfied with American cooking since. (aka. processed foods) I learned that art of clapping at the gate. I discovered the value of stamps and envelopes. I learned to converse in Portuguese. I learned that the spirit can be present and family can be happy even if the home is made of rough boards and a dirt floor. I learned what it meant to labor with all my heart, mind, soul. I learned what it meant to suffer. I learned to keep going on when everything seemed to be going against us. I learned to work HARD and pray even harder. I learned to follow the spirit. I learned to love, love, love.

Everything I experienced and learned there has prepared me for today and for what the future may bring. (Family, trials, life…you name it, I can handle it. Even grad school.) I guess its because it was in Brazil where I really learned and experienced where my strength truly lies.

So often I get to thinking about everything I loved about Brazil and serving as a missionary and it makes me want to go back to those days.  Here are a few of the many memories. Sisters can be inventive. Don’t judge us, it was cold and there is no heating in the houses. Loved it! My favorite P-day retreat. Cachoeira do Franca. Surprise birthday party the Juquitiba Branch threw for me. Juquitiba. My home away from home. And my heart is still there. Sisters Conference