Day 2 Beijing - Forebidden City - Oct 14, 2009

Dear all

Well today far less impressive. We visited the Forebidden city which is very forebidding indeed. For a start we made a bit of a mistake deciding to walk there - but only a bit of a mistake because it took us through another huton area where we think government officials or the like may live. Lots of high walls and signs sayimg that any foreigners who buy or rent in the area must report to the police.

The Forebidden City itself is beyond imagining in scale. You think you have seen it when you enter and cross an open court area which is a veritable plain and see the imposing palace looming above but this pattern repeats itself for hectares. When you enter the forecourt sort area - another giant expanse - there are millions of people, many in tour groups with different coloured hats and the leaders with flags and often with megaphones. It is just impossible to imagine the scale and numbers.

Having worked our way through the barriers, we needed to go to the toilet. Recross another giant expanse and stand in the queue - unless you are male - for half an hour. There were less toilets for all those millions than there are at the Melbourne arts centre. Meanwhile Mr John is relaxing and enjoying the company of all the other men who are waiting for their women folk in an adjoining and pleasant resent room with seats. I was so exhausted after the toilet queue that i sat in there for a while and they were having a great old time. The comedy was in watching the guy outside in charge of the queue who was preventing ferocious women from charging to the front of the queue and herding them to the back. People here seem to have a great sense of humour - one you can share when you are NOT in the queu.

Anyway there was the odd interesting thing in the exhibits. How technologically advanced the Chinese were compared to Europe is something constantly brought home.Some exquisite treasures. Hard to admire in the general crush and stampede.

Down the sides of the main palace axis there are many smaller palaces and court yards and it was pleasant to sit there and contemplate and rest.

However, i have to say that the main feature of the visit was that it was somewhat gruelling. You have to see the place because it helps you to understand the history and culture but it is not all that pleasant - John says it's a bit like Versaille which is really over the top but helps you understand something. We caught a cab back - yeah - successfully negotiating the language.

Tonight we went to the Peking Opera - not as good as i remember it from Farewell My Concubine or the group we saw that visited Melbourne - i suspect a touristy troupe. Nevertheless interesting and great acrobatics.

Which reminds me, we met Linda Jaiven (sp?) Melbourne writer, China specialist and translator who stays in this huton while in China. We found out that she was the translator for the film Farewell My Concubine and was here translating an opera.

We have decided not to go the Great Wall becaus it will mean another whole day out and we want to do more relaxing wandering around.You need three weeks here to do this place justice!

All my love to you all

Joan