This morning Jen and I went for a walk after we realized we had no idea what people eat for breakfast (best guesses were something with eggs or bread-like things) — we settled for a hot-dog-like item from a bakery we found near the hotel. After that we walked around even further that we did the night we arrived. We found an outdoor gym which had several old men stretching around. After a picture or two on the elliptical machine we headed back to the hotel to meet Amy, Sandra (Amy’s roommate) and Melanie (Sandra’s friend.)

We got organized and headed for the forbidden city, and found it to be forbidden. It was closed, but we got a really nice view of it from up a hill across the street.

Checking the guide book for something open we decided on the temple of heaven. We ended up cramming Amy, Jen and I into a single rickshaw and made it there, but just barely. We had to scam our way in to see the actual temple as it was also closed, only the park was open.

Looking for food we ended up in what is now my favorite part of Beijing. A market/restaurant cluster of beautiful old buildings surrounding a massive skating rink. Think Granville Island, but bigger, older, and Chinese… with a massive skating rink in the middle.

After some hot pot we went back, planning on the great wall tomorrow.

hmmm… long entry. I wonder if that will keep happening.