Motleys have left for the airport. SADFACE. Talked to M on Skype, good to hear the familiar voice.
Spent the morning shopping around for a hard drive, only found two shops that sold them - really hope the one I bought works, and isn't counterfeit. Then visited the National Museum.
Usual cloakroom on the way in, but they helpfully told me to bring my camera. Very reasonable rules about photography - no flash, no tripod, and some galleries are verboten, but otherwise okay. After receiving a very light pat down by a female guard, my jaw hit the floor. Place is HUGE! Made my way straight to the 'Ancient China' hall and raced through. I could only stop briefly, despite so much being in English - only one afternoon to see everything. Fascinating artefacts, and the exhibition was excellently laid out. Didn't need any arrows, there was a natural flow to the room. Unfortunately, the building didn't have such an asethetic, and a lack of floorplans was not helpful.
Found a small exhibition on the Incas, and then an artistic display. Bizarre ideas - "what if we could modify plans to make sounds?" "What if cat breeders were scientists?" And some outrageous installations. Mind = blown.
Also amazing was the permanent "Road to Rejuvenation", the story of how the Chinese people overthrew their colonial oppressors, and semi-feudal system, to become a superpower. Massively propagandic, but interesting nonetheless. Lots of sculptures depicting the glorious people.
Saw a most unusual tour group this morning. A group of Chinese, barely out of their teens (if even), being led by what seemed an ex-military type. Bit shouty - "this is DECISION TIME!" and full of cryptic phrases. "They'll be watching them, and they'll be watching you." Funniest was saved for last - "this is FREEDOM! Now, don't walk more than three abreast."
I had been thinking that the men dressed in green standing guard on various street corners (there's one in a booth directly opposite the hostel) and at Tienanmen Square were police officers. I only realised my mistake when I saw some actual police in dark blue uniforms this afternoon.
That means the military is *everywhere*. They patrol around in pairs, like bobbies on the beat, they march in formation at the Summer Palace, in Tienanmen Square. Often they are accompanied by white-shirted men, possibly cadets. Tracksuited individuals sometimes take up the rear. I'm not sure if these are even newer or more junior trainees, but they can sometimes be seen laughing and joking, unbeknownst to the soldiers in front.
http://domcheeseman.blogspot.ie/2011/10/day-118-beijing.html
Spent the morning shopping around for a hard drive, only found two shops that sold them - really hope the one I bought works, and isn't counterfeit. Then visited the National Museum.
Usual cloakroom on the way in, but they helpfully told me to bring my camera. Very reasonable rules about photography - no flash, no tripod, and some galleries are verboten, but otherwise okay. After receiving a very light pat down by a female guard, my jaw hit the floor. Place is HUGE! Made my way straight to the 'Ancient China' hall and raced through. I could only stop briefly, despite so much being in English - only one afternoon to see everything. Fascinating artefacts, and the exhibition was excellently laid out. Didn't need any arrows, there was a natural flow to the room. Unfortunately, the building didn't have such an asethetic, and a lack of floorplans was not helpful.
Found a small exhibition on the Incas, and then an artistic display. Bizarre ideas - "what if we could modify plans to make sounds?" "What if cat breeders were scientists?" And some outrageous installations. Mind = blown.
Also amazing was the permanent "Road to Rejuvenation", the story of how the Chinese people overthrew their colonial oppressors, and semi-feudal system, to become a superpower. Massively propagandic, but interesting nonetheless. Lots of sculptures depicting the glorious people.
***
Saw a most unusual tour group this morning. A group of Chinese, barely out of their teens (if even), being led by what seemed an ex-military type. Bit shouty - "this is DECISION TIME!" and full of cryptic phrases. "They'll be watching them, and they'll be watching you." Funniest was saved for last - "this is FREEDOM! Now, don't walk more than three abreast."
***
I had been thinking that the men dressed in green standing guard on various street corners (there's one in a booth directly opposite the hostel) and at Tienanmen Square were police officers. I only realised my mistake when I saw some actual police in dark blue uniforms this afternoon.
That means the military is *everywhere*. They patrol around in pairs, like bobbies on the beat, they march in formation at the Summer Palace, in Tienanmen Square. Often they are accompanied by white-shirted men, possibly cadets. Tracksuited individuals sometimes take up the rear. I'm not sure if these are even newer or more junior trainees, but they can sometimes be seen laughing and joking, unbeknownst to the soldiers in front.
***
http://domcheeseman.blogspot.ie/2011/10/day-118-beijing.html
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