I am finally finding time to send a few pictures of my trip. It has been a real delight being here during the Chinese New Years celebrations. It is the year of the OX.
People born in the Year of the Ox (1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997) are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.
Predictions for the year of the OX are: Year Ahead: “The OX year is a conservative year, one of traditions and values. This is not a year to be outrageous. A slow but steady year. This OX year will bring stability and growth where patience and diligence pays off. This is a year of Harvest – when we reap what we have sown. Take care of business this year, do not let things slide. “
Since this is a 10 day holiday, I have had the wonderful opportunity to see a bit of China that I did not do last time I was here. Instead of going straight to work, they decided to show me the sites of Beijing.
First we went to the Olympic Square to see the Bird’s Nest and the ice Cube. They were as wonderful as we saw on TV. Then we went to the Forbidden City. It was amazing as most of the Chinese architecture and rich history has demonstrated.
The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost five centuries, it served as the home of the Emperor and his household, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government.
Built from 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 surviving buildings with 8,707 bays of rooms and covers 720,000 square metres (7,800,000 square feet). The palace complex exemplifies traditional Chinese palatial architecture, and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and elsewhere. It consists of beautiful names such as: Gate of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony, Hall of Heavenly Peace & Hall of Terrestrial Peace. I just loved walking around in such an imense place that was at one time considered holy and sacred. I still believe there is strong spiritual energy there.
I also had the wonderful pleasure of being taken to traditional Chinese restaurants. They wore clothing that was reflective of a rich heritage and provided performances that were once performed in front of Chinese royalty. At one point, I was obliged to be part of the performance of a juggler. Some men stuffed me inside a giant metal flower pot, then a group of men hoisted me up onto the powerful legs of a woman who juggled me around in the pot. It was both humiliating and humbling but I could only laugh at how much the Chinese people seemed to enjoy watching.
Tomorrow it is off to the GREAT WALL OF CHINA! I can’t wait.
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