|
Listen to This Story
|
A morning flight from Tokyo to Beijing
when we landed, security was tough.. especially on me!
Remember when I said that my passport picture got washed out from the juice drink in Japan! I was able during my stay in Tokyo to speak to the embassy and had all forms of official identifications with me, that had my name and face on it! AND my Chinese visa too.
I was detained for four hours, after an extremely long investigation, recording my voice, taking pictures (without my headscarf, multiple times), recording me, asking me to tell the story over and over and over again to a million person, I felt humiliated. I was told to sit outside the office (where passengers can stare as they want at me, same as the walk of shame, but sitting.. for hours) I was not going to be let in; they had to use the “Red Phone” for me (to speak with the white house/or federal bureau of investigation!) and, to be honest, all I just wanted to do that time is to go home after all I went through. (Also, they took my luggage, took forever to get them back, after literally running around the airport from one office to another)
Long story short. When I finally got out, I was surprised that my tour guide and travel mates waited for me. I was so upset, tried as much as I can not cry (I am good at that in hard situations), but this time, I cried when one of the other travelers hugged me. (It was hard. tough on me, even as a Palestinian who had gone through hell before as well..)
I wore my sunglasses on the bus and spoke to no one; I was secretly crying and shivering the whole ride to the restaurant. Since my tour guide and others had to wait for me to get out, they lost the time to get some rest in the hotel before exploring Beijing.
We had a Rickshaw ride through the narrow streets and alleys of Beijing—the best way to see the city to a local family’s house for a traditional dinner together.
We had Peking Duck, Beijing famous ducks dish. Right after that ride, I was able to forget that sadness or left it on pause to enjoy the rest of my day.
I laughed, had a great time and pretended as nothing had ever happened.
We enjoyed some beautiful music, oh I wish I can upload the video here.
I spoke to the locals, I showed interest in the area, so I was offered a little tour of nearby of the restaurant by one of the girls in that family before dinner gets served.
I was given a little extra tour by her, also in search of a restroom because weirdly enough they use public toilets in that area (the whole town uses two main public toilets.)
The food was delicious.. for real! I swear the best food ever.
We later got a bigger tour of the city with the whole group.. to our way to the river, where shops colorful bars, vendors were. It was basically like the romantic Paris or Florence.
We passed by a flower shop, where the tour guide told us that they bring flowers to a random person who passes by their shop. All the girls were happy and wished that they’ll get one, or someone buys one for them.
Later we went to a bar for some drinks (a rooftop bar right next to the river) then it got dark.. Click here
A clown came out of nowhere.. and started giving every girl a flower.
I got one too, but I also got more than one; I got five more! From the travel agency, from my tour director and from some of the guys that were on the trip too. (they were the sweets people ever, I was so happy)
Next morning,
We went off a sightseeing tour around Beijing (on a bigger scale)
We had a local guide who introduced us to China’s capital. We saw Tiananmen Square, the biggest public square in the world and the infamous spot where a student rebellion was put down in 1989.
We also visited the incredible Forbidden City, surrounded by a moat and a protective wall. Inside the walls, check out the golden-roofed Imperial Palace, first built during the Ming Dynasty.
Next: The Great Wall of China,
We headed to Badaling; we walked on the iconic Great Wall. The Chinese started building the Wall in the 5th century B.C., as a defense against the Mongols. Today the Wall extends across mountains and valleys for more than 3,000 miles.
I died. Not really, but that wall is so freaking steep and when you reach a hill; the steps get smaller, and you feel like you’re going to fall back.
That is me telling the person who’s taking a picture of me. Take a picture already before I die and fall back. I can not breathe!!
Gift shops are expensive.. but beautiful!
I lost my favorite umbrella here (got it from Tokyo) 🙁
I wanted to buy everything from here. It looked like my antique dream house.
The next day we went to Temple of Heaven Park; a huge outdoor park is full of historical relics and locals doing their morning Tai Chi exercises.
Summer Palace
Visited this imperial retreat centered around Kunming Lake. The Palace grounds bring in huge numbers of visitors each year, drawn by the Qing-style pavilions, bridges, walkways, and gardens.
Bought myself some pearls from the dragon lady’s lake (highly recommended.. expensive! but China offered 50% off sale for students tourists :D) and I also got myself the best silk bed sets the highest quality in the world.. from Beijing <3
813 Comments
What i don’t understood is in truth how you’re now not actually much more neatly-appreciated than you might be right now. You’re so intelligent. You understand thus significantly with regards to this topic, made me in my opinion believe it from so many numerous angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be interested except it is one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs nice. At all times deal with it up!
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂
I enjoy forgathering utile info, this post has got me even more info! .
I used to be very happy to find this web-site.I wished to thanks on your time for this wonderful read!! I undoubtedly enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
fantastic publish, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t understand this. You should proceed your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
I’ve read several good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to make such a great informative site.
I just could not go away your web site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the usual information a person provide to your visitors? Is gonna be again frequently in order to check out new posts.
Just wanna input on few general things, The website design is perfect, the articles is really good. “Earn but don’t burn.” by B. J. Gupta.
Hello. magnificent job. I did not anticipate this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!
Hi! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Great blog and fantastic design and style.
Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was looking for!
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
Thank you, I’ve recently been looking for info approximately this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have came upon till now. However, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you sure in regards to the supply?
I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays..
Very efficiently written post. It will be supportive to everyone who employess it, including myself. Keep up the good work – for sure i will check out more posts.
Great website! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am taking your feeds also.
Thank you for sharing with us, I conceive this website really stands out : D.
hey there and thank you for your information – I’ve definitely picked up something new from right here. I did on the other hand expertise some technical issues using this site, since I skilled to reload the web site a lot of instances prior to I may just get it to load properly. I have been considering in case your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances instances will often impact your placement in google and could damage your high quality score if advertising and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot extra of your respective interesting content. Make sure you update this once more very soon..
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
Hey there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I will definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this website.
You got a very great website, Sword lily I detected it through yahoo.
There is visibly a bundle to realize about this. I think you made some good points in features also.
I would like to show my appreciation to you just for rescuing me from this problem. As a result of surfing around through the the net and getting solutions which are not powerful, I figured my life was gone. Being alive devoid of the strategies to the difficulties you have sorted out by means of your good article content is a critical case, as well as ones which may have badly affected my career if I hadn’t come across the blog. The ability and kindness in touching every part was important. I am not sure what I would have done if I had not discovered such a step like this. I can also now relish my future. Thanks very much for this high quality and effective guide. I will not be reluctant to recommend your web page to any person who should have guidelines about this area.
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such magnificent info being shared freely out there.
I’d have to test with you here. Which isn’t something I usually do! I get pleasure from reading a submit that will make people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to remark!
Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thanks
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.
Enjoyed looking through this, very good stuff, appreciate it.
Some really wonderful posts on this internet site, appreciate it for contribution. “Such evil deeds could religion prompt.” by Lucretius.
Great items from you, man. I’ve take into account your stuff prior to and you’re just too fantastic. I actually like what you have got right here, really like what you’re stating and the way wherein you assert it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read much more from you. That is really a terrific web site.
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
I’m still learning from you, but I’m trying to achieve my goals. I certainly enjoy reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the posts coming. I loved it!
With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement? My blog has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any methods to help prevent content from being stolen? I’d truly appreciate it.
Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too magnificent. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous site.
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Great blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally confused .. Any suggestions? Appreciate it!
Very interesting topic, thanks for putting up.
I have been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.
I am now not certain the place you’re getting your info, but good topic. I must spend a while learning more or figuring out more. Thanks for great info I was on the lookout for this info for my mission.
I view something really interesting about your website so I saved to favorites.
I got good info from your blog
I am really impressed together with your writing talents and also with the structure to your blog. Is this a paid subject or did you modify it your self? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s uncommon to look a nice blog like this one nowadays..
hello!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your post on AOL? I need an expert on this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
I haven?¦t checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
What i don’t realize is actually how you are no longer really a lot more neatly-appreciated than you may be now. You’re so intelligent. You understand therefore significantly in relation to this topic, produced me in my view imagine it from so many numerous angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved until it¦s something to do with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. At all times care for it up!
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Great awesome things here. I?¦m very glad to peer your article. Thanks so much and i am having a look forward to touch you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
Keep functioning ,splendid job!