To start off the day we had a large breakfast in a style that I have never had it before. We eat breakfast in an all-you-can-eat buffet style and it is very interesting because that makes breakfast one of the larger meals. Instead of just a bowl of cereal you might have a full course meal with soup, desserts and everything you might have for dinner.

After the meal we went to the Temple of Heaven, which is the place where the Emperor would go every year to hear the wishes of God. This area had many brightly colored temples and buildings. It had some architecture that I had never seen before. In the temple there was one special spot where the Emperor would go and stand in order to hear what God had to say. Throughout the vast area that the temple covered there were many people doing exercises and also trying to sell you different things. One of my classmates bought something and the change that they got back was Russian money. The student did not notice until it was too late and we had left. This showed me two things, what people would do for money and how different China was from America.

Next we went to lunch at a beautiful restaurant. One thing that I love about China is the architecture and how even the most simple building is rich in its design. The other thing that I love about China is how the meals are presented. Everything is a piece of artwork, which has been put together beautifully. Also I like how the meals are served and you take what you want from each dish.

Our next stop was Tiananmen Square; this is a very important part of China's history for several reasons. Chairman Mao gave his first speech here, this is also the place where large gatherings of citizens gather, and this is the place where it was announced that China had become the People's Republic of China. Chairman Mao's body is on display in one of the buildings and others are used for government purposes. This square is very impressive because of how large it is and all the tourists from China and the world who visit here.

Finally we went to the Forbidden City, which is where the Emperor and all of his family lived. I thought I had seen the most amazing architecture in the world when I went to the Temple of Heaven, but I was wrong. The Forbidden City is as amazing if not more. Throughout it had many vast courtyards and many large architectural miracles. It is amazing because even with the technology today we would still consider it a large challenge to build a place like this, so I just wonder how hard it was for them back then. The place is so large that I can't see how it could be home to one family, but then I remember that Emperors could have more than one wife and some would have up to 100 children. The last part that I saw of this was the garden. It was enclosed by a gate and would be the dream of anyone seeking peace and quite.

Throughout our journey today I realized one very amazing thing; Chinese people are very kind and open. One Chinese woman asked us for a Power Bar while we were eating because she was curious and maybe hungry. Then she felt compelled to give us a gift, so we gave her some Vermont gifts. This went on for a little while and it ended with us all getting our picture taken together. This was a wonderful event that truly showed what kind of people the Chinese are.

Everywhere we go we play hacky sack. Our goal is to hacky sack at every major site and we have been successful so far. When we did it in the Forbidden City we drew a crowd that was so large that police came to break it up because it was blocking where people were walking. More people were watching us then looking at the sights around them. We all felt very proud of our hacky sack skills, even after a Chinese woman joined us and showed us up. Overall this day has been a great success in both exploring China and learning about the about the Chinese way of life.

The girls are standing on the spot where the Emperor stood on the solstice to receive the mandate from heaven, other tourists are waiting their turn to stand on this special spot where everyone wants to have their photo taken.

Rows of beautiful trees are planted throughout the park.

Cailey being photographed as she tries out the throne dressed as the Empress. Chinese folks are eager to photograph westerners and often ask us to be in a photo with them.

The group at Tiananmen Square

Ms. Greene looking over Tiananmen Square from the spot where Mao would stand to address the people.

Another protector of the Forbidden City residents

While walking in Beijing we saw this woman and her
pet bird out for some fresh air (note cage in tree).