Sunday, May 1, 2016

Day 5 - Temple of Heaven


Ominous looking day with all of the smog around the city.  The Temple of Heaven, well it is not every day that you get to stand on the very spot that the Emperor did to pray for a good harvest. The walk through the outer layers was certainly interesting, and hard to imagine the formal procession, lighting of fires and animal sacrifices on the altar.



And here is the magical spot that you have to run into and pose for, quicker than trying to time the two skipping ropes flicking around at the speed of light!  Everyone wants to stand where the Emperor did.




What about being a gardener at the Temple of Heaven, always prestigious for the resume?




Even the trees looked ancient.




As we wandered out of the temple, it is after 1:30 pm and I haven't eaten lunch.  I am hot, tired and hungry.  Perfect spot to land a tea house I say.  It is a tourist dream, multiple rounds of tea served with free nuts, all in the hope that you will buy some expensive tea or china to take home.  Our lovely guide joined us for tea.


Very serious routine that the tea maker goes through.  I reckon she may have done it a few hundred times before.  To my surprise, the youngster did all rounds of the tea drinking as well.






 

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