By this time, 10 years ago, I think I was out cold on the hard hotel bed.
John and I had spent the day touring the Forbidden City, which seemed not only Forbidden but Forever (as in going on forever and ever and ever…). Chops were purchased, food was consumed, and pearls were oohed and aahed over.
We were not a major source of tourist spending on our trip. I had not learned that if you see it and love it, buy it now because you won’t probably see it elsewhere. So different from the US, where many things are replicated, or you could just get another one in the next large town. Although I wonder if that has changed since our 2003 trip.
As I recall, I spent a bunch of bus time looking at Sarah’s picture, and counting down the time. Deb was the official “clock” of our group, with frequent updates on our time until Gotcha Day.
I was completely exhausted when I got back from 10 hours of touring. But it was a good, happy tired. I just wished I could sleep better on those beds.
Related Links/Previous Stories:
http://thewallsofstpaul.blogspot.com/2006/12/ach-scheiss-moments-and-day-2-beijing.htm