Randy & Vicki's Sunday in China

Greetings. Today you will be with me in Paradise (The Paradise Hotel in Xi’ an, China , that is). We finished our tour of Beijing yesterday and arrived in Xi’ an during a rain shower late last night. Most of our group is very tired. We saw the Forbidden City and the Emperor’s Summer Palace yesterday in Beijing . They are massive! It’s hard to describe in words. The Forbidden City was used by two different dynasties for hundreds and hundreds of years as the center of power, and the dwelling place of the Emperor. The whole plan of the city was designed to instill awe into any who might challenge their power. Even today, it is awe-inspiring. Since the structures are actually primarily wooden and the golden adornments are not actual gold but paint, it requires constant maintenance and refurbishment. We ended our day in Beijing at the Summer Palace by taking a dragon boat ride across the Kunming Lake—a man made lake in front of a man-made mountain which was built at the bidding or the Dragon Lady—an empress who ruled the dynasties of her son and nephew from behind the scenes…literally, apparently.

Speaking of man-made wonders…we were still feeling the after-effects or our climb on the Great Wall from the day before. Our tour guide told us that the Great Wall is one of two man-made things which can be seen from space. He didn’t tell us what the other one is but I suspect that it is the national debt. There are two directions that you can take at the Badaling section of the Wall—the hard section to the left and the easier section to the right. And I, I took the road less traveled by and that has made all the difference….for my knees anyway.

Quick notes: the food is good in China , Pat White had surgery and it went well…we’re hoping she can join us in Hong Kong for the trip home, Xi’an has a nice hotel and we’re looking forward to seeing the famous terra cotta warriors today. Blessings to you from China, Pastor Randy and Vicki