Tian'an Men Sqaure

On Sunday morning before we flew out to Guangzhou, we walked around Tian'an Men Square. The place was a buzz with activity despite the stifling heat. A couple of times Chinese families approached us and wanted to have us take a picture with their children. The poor kids looked at us like we had two heads - apparently Westerns can be quite the novelty.



Just say Mao.



I made Cote pose for this picture.



This shot epitomizes Beijing - a gray haze hangs overhead, cranes fill the skyline, and a large communist style building (Great Hall of the People) is counting down the minutes, hours, and days until the 2008 Summer Olympics.



Mao's Mausoleum.



View of Mao and the Gate of Heavenly Peace from afar.



Happy snap by the Monument to the People's Heroes.



Another view of Mao's Mausoleum.



Qian Men - part of the fortifications of the old wall surrounding Beijing.



The Arrow Tower (or Jian Lou) - remnant of the old fortifications.



St. Joseph's Church on Wangfujing Street.