It is been too busy lately and I can't believe that so much time has past and that there are only 7 days left of the Olympic Games. Not going to lie. I was ready to come home about 1 week ago, now I am not sure I want it to end. The people that I have met have been amazing and I am really trying to relish my last days here (but seeing as they do not have relish in China... it is becoming difficult!).
I have decided that I have to catch up to present time with this blog. Too much is happening here and I can no longer blog every night and my sleep is becoming to precious so mornings are out! This is blog is what I call John's Olympic Highlight reel. It will document my comings and goings in the last 2 weeks - everything that I have not blogged about yet. Hold on! It is going to be a fast ride! Any of you who have facebook, look up my page as I have posted 100's of photos there (please ignore any rude comments posted by my work colleagues)....
Here are the headlines:
CPP BOWLING LEAGUE REUNITES!
In a stunning display, Tammy upsets the original CPP league members and handily bowls her way to victory... who let this newbie bowl? A heated rivalry was rekindled as Holland (Maarten) faced off with Canada (John) for fourth place (we don't need medals to feel important)... it was close and Canada made a valiant comeback attempt - spare/strike/strike in the 10th frame... but lost by the closest of margins - 111 to Holland's 112. Match 3 is scheduled to be played in the coming days... stay tuned!
This time, Paige and I brought our own socks
The form that brought Tammy to Victory
Leslie (Team Canada) - at least looked the part... unfortunately the 35 that she bowled did not help Team Canada
Paul - for a big man, surprisingly light on his feet...
Maarten - harassing team Canada! This is how he took forth... he beat us with his clogs!
CPP League from left to right: Maarten, Kevin, Leslie, Dean, Michelle, Paul, John, Tammy and Paige
2. Lama Temple... What? No Llamas??? Who knew?
A little while ago I was lucky enough to be able to visit the lama temple. It is probably one of my top five places to visit here in Beijing. It is an ancient Buddhist temple located in the heart of the city and it transported me to another world. Just stepping off the subway I was smacked in the face (no, not by the 3 foot tall 94 year old lady I keep having to shove out of my way on the subway) - Once off the subway you are immediately met by the smell of burning incense. Normally I hate the smell of the stuff and always look for people making homemade granola at the same time, but here, for some reason, the smell was other worldly and soothing... perhaps I had just inhaled too much of the 'natural phenomenon' smog in the air..... But i have to say, the place is an oasis of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of modern day Beijing. People come there to worship their Buddhas and it is one of the most prominent religions in China. Aside from the Temple of Heaven, it is the one place in Beijing that I have felt protected from the frenetic atmosphere of the city. Here are a smattering of my favourite pics:
Offering prayer
Incense bins outside each temple to offer thanks
incense bin
I think this meant I was not allowed to take pictures?
Statue of a Buddha in one of the halls (taken from outside...I did not burn film!)
Portal to peacefulness. I am addicted to doorways.
Buddhist prayer wheel.
3. Summer Palace... yes please!
Well, if there is one place I was forced to sojourn in China it would be the summer palace. The place is spectacular and really beautiful, but very touristy - so Temple of Heaven is still my fave! I was lucky enough to get an afternoon a while back and so I seized the opportunity and headed out to see the sights. The lush gardens and opulent surroundings make it truly astonishing... one problem... SO MANY STAIRS and it was the hottest day to date! I was a sweaty mess, but what else is new?
Everything is hand painted... beautiful
an older, less restored section that I fell in love with
View from the lake
Modernity catches up to everyone... The olympics are everywhere!
Water lilly - john had an artsy moment
door fetish
the long corridor - a little respite from the sun
ancient splendour
took a paddle boat on the river... my little legs did me proud
Well that, my friends, is John's Olympic Highlight reel thus far. I have to head out to work - we got a new wave of guests in that are just awesome! It is nice to be appreciated. Our whole team is getting recharged by this experience. We are taking them to the night market tonight for a tour... scorpions anyone?
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