Guard, Tiananmen Square, Beijing. Notice the fire extinguisher for protestors who may set themselves on fire.

Scorpions. They came 4 to a stick, and some were still squirming! Fortunately they were fried before eating!

I ate the first two, and Cherie' in a loving gesture, ate the second two!

Street vendors Beijing.

People everywhere! Most good natured about the crowds. This is the Beijing subway system.

Mao Statutes. Mao Zedhong is an icon in China. He is the liberator of the country from the Japanese, the victor in the fight against the Nationals, and in his less inspired moments, an architect of the cultural revolution. There are signs of him everywhere, although younger Beijingers told me that he is less and less of an influence on Chinese lives.

Entrance to the Forbidden City, Beijing.

Chairman Mao, at the entrance of the Forbidden City

Frozen moat, Forbidden City. All outside water features in Beijing were frozen solid. It was bitterly cold, often in the single digits, and with a frequent breeze, colder than any mountain I have ever climbed.

Forbidden City, Beijing

The Forbidden City was the home to several Chinese Dynasties, and until recently, entry was forbidden to all foreigners and many Chinese. Of course, it is now a prime tourist attraction. The architecture is spectacular, even though crowded in the middle of the winter and the "off season."

There are guards (and cameras) everywhere in Beijing. I saw the expected guards at the tourist attractions, such as the Forbidden City, here, but also at all banks, parking garages, parks, malls, stores, street corners, etc. The second one from the right is giving my camera the suspicious eye!

Forbidden City, Beijing.

This classic image is from Jinshan Park, looking toward the Forbidden City. While Beijing has worked toward cleaner air, particularly since the 2008 Olympics, there was a constant smog layer. Xi'an, where we went later, was always smoggy.

The Great Wall. Truly Great. While much of the Great Wall no longer exists because of erosion and neglect, this section at Bedeling has been perfectfully restored.

One of the guys I was with on the Great Wall took a picture of this guard, just as he opened his eyes. The photographer was almost arrested, and let off the hook only when he proved he deleted the picture. Fortunately I fired off several pictures without being noticed!

Sometimes the translation is lost!

The Wall is surprisingly steep, with sections having only slick granite in place of stairs. It is also rarely level. I probably gained 1000' vertical exploring the Wall.

I was a Rock Star in China!! Tall, blond and fair skinned, I did NOT blend!! And on at least a dozen occasions girls sought me out to have their picture taken with me! This was on the Great Wall, and is one of my most favorite memories. I was just standing there, and all of a sudden was surrounded by these girls. Then I realized I was intentionally in the middle of their picture!