China: Tiananmen Square

While Ellen and Mama G are hanging out in Manila, we worked it out so that I could cash in some SkyMiles and visit my brother in China. It's been almost two years since I have seen him, but while experiencing new things in China is cool, I am most excited about just getting to hang out with him!

After landing in Beijing, the two of us went to our hotel to unload our stuff before we went out to do some exploring. My first item of business was to give my brother a chocolate pecan pie that Ellen and Mama G had cooked just hours before my departure. Oh yeah, he loved it. Good job, ladies!

After resting for a few minutes, we walked down to Tiananmen Square--the enormity of that place is astounding. As you approach the square, the first thing you notice is the multitude of red flags that sit atop the surrounding buildings. The square itself is about 100 x 100 yards, and covered in gray brick. Standing in the middle of the square and looking to the north, you are met with a large parade viewing stand that holds a massive painting of Chairman Mao, a god-like figure in Chinese history, whose face is plastered everywhere. To the east and west are looming Communist government office buildings, and to the south an obelisk sits in the shadow of Chairman Mao's massive mausoleum, again giving honor to his suppossed claim to being a deity.

The square is littered with soldiers who stand at attention in their dark green uniforms--unlike the fuzzy-hat wearing sentries that stand guard in England, the Chinese soldiers' eyes will follow everyone who passes in front of their gaze. If that isn't enough scrutiny for you, then just a quick look up at the lightpoles will reveal an impressive collection of video cameras, some large and imposing, some a little more obscured.

At sundown, a 20' tall flag is lowered in impressive military style, and we squeezed into the crowd to watch the display. Afterward, we wandered around, practicing the language on vendors ("boo-yao, shishi nee!": "I don't want any, thank you!") and college students ("nee-how": "hi"). We met up with two students--and my brother started sharing with them about God, and gave them his Chinese Bible. Matter of factly, he told them that they needed to believe in God. They were very appreciative and we left them flipping through the pages as we walked off.

It was getting pretty late, so we tossed the Frisbee around and then grabbed some dinner at a local dive. Thankfully, my brother's command of Chinese is really good, and he quickly discovered that the English menu was four times the amount of the Chinese menu! We laughed about it with the waiter and enjoyed our meal.

That's me and Mao.


Hundreds of people gather to see the flag lowering ceremony.

Tomorrow: The Great Wall