We Come a Long, Long Way Together
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
June 11, 2009
On our last day we woke up on good time. Bill was not in the mood to exercise, so I went to the hotel gym and used the treadmill to do 4-16-4 instead of heading outdoors. I think it would have been cooler outside! Bill used the internet while I was jogging.
Bill had eggs, watermelon, croissants and tea. I had a chocolate croissant, cereal with soy and peanut butter, some fruit, a piece of brie and a toast with the last of the peanut butter from Vietnam.
We took the subway to the ancient observatory. We exited at the same stop as when we first arrived. The observatory is on the other side of the station Observatory. I think we were the only ones there. The first building focused on the history of star gazing in China, dating back to the BC’s (not British Columbia). The second building spoke to the knowledge acquired from European clergy and scientists. The third building provided the history of the Beijing Observatory. Outside there were busts of some of the famous Chinese astronomers. There was a garden with bushes in the shape of the big dipper. Around the grounds an on the roof of one building there were ancient tools used for measuring time, planetary and star alignment.
From there we walked to the Taiwan Orchid spa. I would have to wait 20 minutes, but could get a massage and foot treatment and be done around 12:30. There were some American restaurants nearby – TGIFriday, Subway, Pizza Hut, Starbucks and a steak house chain that we cannot recall, but nothing that we were interested in for lunch, so we will meet back at the hotel Not very Forbidden these days.
Bill went back to the Forbidden City to take some photos since it is a nice day. He was once again mobbed by the crowds, bumped and jostled, but was able to get some good snaps. He really liked how the roof tops glistened in the sun!
I had to wait until after 11 to be seated in a room and then I had to wait a while for my masseuse. I thought they had forgotten about me. The lady who gave me the traditional Chinese massage (without oil and clothes on) was pretty good. She worked on my sore shoulders and legs for a while. It felt good. She told me that my shoulder problem is from working on the computer (I have been doing quite a bit of that!). She said I should try swimming or playing basketball... After she left a guy came in to shape my toe nails and get rid of the rough spots. My morning at the spa was around $30 Marble Stairs. I bought some expensive OPI (Berry Berry Broadway) nail polish ($20) and will do my own nails, maybe while we are waiting for our flight.
I stopped at the Starbucks for one last Black Tea misto with soy and then walked back to the subway. My appointments ran late, so I am running a bit behind for our 12:45 hotel rendezvous time. Bill ran a bit late and was on the 15th floor at 12:50, I made it there at 1:00. We spent a few more minutes on the internet. I wished Omar a “Happy Birthday” via email and sent out few other quick emails.
We went to our room and packed our bags one final time (at least until we couch surf in Canada). We threw out a couple of beat up articles of clothing. We did not end up having lunch. I had an apple and Bill was not hungry. We had showers and then checked out around 2:45.
We took subway line 2 to line 1 and then caught the airport express (104 yuan, $17 Roar.50). Just before we departed the first subway car I put my pack back on and broke my beaded bracelet from Hoi An. The beads went flying and then started rolling as the car began to decelerate. Bill and I dove to the floor (I am sure it was perfectly clean) and scooped them up. Of course, the friendly Chinese folks did not help us even though the beads were at their feet. I made sure that I had my Ally bead, so we were good to go.
We arrived at the beautiful Beijing airport. We had to take another train to get to the departure gate. We were in a long line that did not move as quickly as some of our experiences during the last few months, but we had plenty of time, so it was no big deal. There was a Burger King that I was tempted to eat at, but we rolled the dice and went through security first. We should have gone to BK because there was nothing very exciting at our terminal and I was starving by that point and had a huge headache Sheila and Molly are showing us video of Ella. We ate at an Irish Pub. I had a chicken burger and Bill had a beer and a burger. We walked through the Duty Free stores. They did not have my perfume - dang! Now I will have to wait for a US road trip...
We went to the gate and I used the toilet while Bill bought some water. I came out and could not find him. Why does this always happen in the airport?? He had gone to use the toilet too. We both changed into our plane gear – my comfortable LuLuLemon clothes and my Roots sweatshirt and Bill had a long sleeve t-shirt, plaid shorts and a sweatshirt. They started boarding our flight and we sat down to let the crowds clear a bit.
We were seated by the window and there was a Chinese guy on the aisle. Bill had a little girl sitting behind him who enjoyed kicking his seat. It is going to be a long flight!
We watched: The Reader, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Yes Man, and Last Chance Harvey. I also watched some home improvement episodes. We were served dinner, a lunch and then breakfast. I stayed awake most of the flight and only slept for 2 hours. Bill probably only slept for 3 hours (he claims he slept less than I did).
At one point two ladies held a baby over the toilet for a while and then washed him or We landed on time, around 6:45 pm. We did not have to wait long for our baggage and we had to fill out extra paperwork for the souvenirs that we have mailed back to Canada. But, it really did not take very long.
We were greeted by Bill’s Mom and shortly thereafter, Sheila and Molly. It was nice to see familiar faces!
Bill bashed me in the head with his pack before we headed our separate ways (my parting gift). Bill is going to stay with his Mom for a couple of days and I am going to see Ella and stay at the Young’s. No, we are not completely sick of each other, I just have a hair appointment that I desperately need to get to!
We made good time back to Morpeth and it was great visiting with Sheila and Molly along the way. It was great to see Doug and Annie when we arrived. I was very happy to see my kitten, Ella. I don’t think she is happy to see me yet!
