Golden Holiday...

So this week is the Chinese National Holiday, that is also called the Golden Holiday (I think).  This means, we have the entire week off.  Most ex-pats leave the area because Beijing is a huge tourist spot for the Chinese this week.  (Think of Washington DC on the week of the July 4)  I chose not to go out of town due to funds (saving them for the big trip to New Zealand in December) but to stay around Beijing and see what all the fuss is about.  

Before that, on Friday a couple guys I work with and I went to get massages.  Two hour foot and body massages...all for less than $20.  Here they are after the foot massage...

(Li Peng at the end and Caleb closest)

Afterwards, we had Korean fried chicken...Just like us Southerners like it!  Crispy!!!

Saturday, I worked with NFL China.  Just a broken collarbone was the only casualty of the weekend, so nothing really major.  Sunday and Monday was disgusting.  On Sunday the smog was so thick that it was just gross.  Monday it was again nasty, but it also rained most of the day.  The afternoon, it finally cleared up, but was too late to really do anything.  Tuesday was much nicer, so Charlie and I decided to go out to town and see some sites.  He wanted to go to Tiananman Square, and I tried to talk him out, but he insisted.  So off we went, and found out that about a billion (embellishing a little) other Chinese wanted to go to there as well.  It was a zoo!!!  Here are a few photos from there.  When we finally got through there, I wanted to take him to the Lama Temple (if you remember, this is my favorite spot in Beijing), but when we got there, it was closed.  Oh well, another time perhaps.  

 This was coming up from the subway onto the sidewalk near the square

 Pictures from the Square...

 Leaving to get to the Lama Temple, I tried to get a photo of the subway line, You can't really tell, but we were packed like sardines...(actually, they may have had more room than we did!)  My hands couldn't fit beside my body, I had to keep them up, so I snapped a quick photo! (That's Charlie behind me.)

Today when I woke up, the day was too nice to be in the subway, in the apartment, or anywhere actually except outside enjoying the beautiful blue skies and the clean air-so Charlie and I decided to take the bikes out for a ride.  we ended up being gone for about 3-4 hours and rode about 10-15 miles around the area we live.  Earphones in, singing to the top of my lungs while trekking around the outskirts of Beijing-I couldn't help but think "How do I deserve this?"  I can't begin to explain how beautiful today was.  The temp was maybe high 60s, sunny, clean with a nice little breeze...we just couldn't ask for a better day.  Biking was amazing too.  Last week I was under the weather and am just now getting over it, so the ride today was great for that.  (Here are some selfies from the ride...)

Tomorrow, I just found out that I am going to the China Open; the national tennis tournament.  I have not been to a major tennis event, and after tomorrow I will be able to say I have done this too!  Can I just say "showered with blessings!!!"  While I am extremely thankful to God for all these opportunities, I just can't help but think that I don't deserve them.   He (God) truly is amazing!!!

Quick shout-out to my Gamecock friends, and good-doers...Some great people I know and love have started an organization in Columbia (Public Works of HeART) that raises money for Non-Profit organizations while beautifying the Columbia area with art.  Please check out their website and if you can and feel led to, donate as well.  This particular project helps the Harvest Hope Food Bank and the mural will be done in Cayce!  Like I said, the creators of this project (Public Works of HeART) are dear friends and former church members and school mates from college with me...Will and Katie!
Gamecock Mural, Public Works of HeART