Day 3

Well it was another busy day.  Up at 4:00 a.m. again with breakfast at 7:30.  We got on the bus at 9:30 and headed out to Tienanmen Square.  It was extremely busy today, probably because of the nice sunny and 92 degree weather.  From there we walked underground, to avoid the busy road, to the Forbidden City.  What a historical place to visit and to be able to walk on the same ground as the Ming and Qing Dynasties.  It is now known as the Palace Museum.  After taking in this historical site, we ventured over to the Temple of Heaven.  The Temple of Heaven was opened to the public as a park, showing ancient philosophy, history and religion.  After the Temple of Heaven we made it to a restaurant for dinner and then to a silk factory.  After silk factory we made it to an acrobatic show.  Of course we were fashionably late due to the traffic.  You talking about absolute chaos.  They turn two lanes into three and they have no fear.  I always thought New York traffic was horrible and scary.  They got nothing on these drivers.  One adjustment you have to get use to is everyone honking.  Back home if we honk at someone it usually not a good thing.  Here they honk to let someone know where they are at.  Oh yeah and those brave souls on bicycles and mopeds, you had better know where they are at all times because they will cut you off even if you are in a bus.  It is CRAZY!  Tomorrow is a "relaxing" day. We will take the subway down to the market where we can go shopping.  More like being on a car lot with all the salesman in your face and tugging at you to buy their product.  If you like to haggle and are in it for some cheaper products this is your place.  I will have more on our journey later, so stay tuned.