Today I visited the Summer Palace.  This was built for the emperor’s mother who is said to have controlled the country instead of the emperor because he was so young.  It was really beautiful.  We rented paddle boats and went around the man made lake.  This was truly one of the best sites I have seen while in Beijing.  There was over 700 acres, lush vegetation, rolling hills and even an island.  It was a super beautiful place.  I keep thinking about how it would have been hundreds of years ago without so many people.  So peaceful to walk around the special buildings each designated for a specific purpose like studying, worshiping specific gods, and meditating.  The buildings are named thinks like Tranquility House and Medicine House.  It is so cool.  The only thing I wish I had was more of the history background.

Today was super hot and we were outside all afternoon.  As we were waiting for a friend to return we watched a thunderstorm roll in. We waited in the rain for a little while before walking to the bus stop.  Today was the first day on the bus and it was alright.  Super cheap and best of all it stops right in front of my hotel.  The subway is about a 1 mile walk.  I tried some pineapple beer tonight but couldn’t finish it.  Way too sweet for me.  Tomorrow we head to a Forensic Science Lab after class.  Thursday we visit a law office and Friday is our last day in Beijing.  We are trying to get some karaoke organized.  They have individual rooms for people.  I have to check this out!

It is interesting to see American companies over here.  There are several Subway sub shops, Pizza Hut and KFC.  Of course there is McDonalds too, but what is interesting the Chinese love their pizza.  We had some the other night and it was delicious.  Turns out I hadn’t even noticed the absence of cheese in my diet until I ate some pizza and it was so delicious.  Today I also tried this crafty concoction prepared by the hotel today at lunch.  It looked like a fish you would see in Finding Nemo.  So I dared to try it and it was just straight up gelatin, made by pigs’ hooves.  Well that was nice.  It wasn’t that tasty, but I am out here trying it!