Lama Temple and Natooke – March 19

Wednesday, March 19 was our third and final day in Beijing. Our plane was scheduled to leave for Shanghai at 3:00 p.m. Of course, it was delayed, but we did not know that and still had to be at the airport in the early afternoon.

Our first stop that morning was the Lama Temple. The bus dropped us off beside this gate, which lead to a crowded parking lot.

Then, we went through this gate with the ticket office and down a long walk to the next gate.

Unfortunately, once you are inside you cannot take pictures inside the halls. I found this website that had pictures of the Buddhas, including the largest Buddha carved out of a single piece of wood. Here are the pictures that I took.

This sculpture had a sign telling people not to throw coins, but everyone was. Actually, I was told that the sign said in Chinese not to throw coins, but then someone else said that if you could get a coin on the highest tier than your prayer would be answered. My coin made it to the second highest tier. I do not know what that means. I liked watching this adorable child throw her coins.

Once again, I wish that I had more time to spend there. While the students were getting their tour, I actually went off to explore on my own. I do appreciate learning about places, but I often find that I learn more through reading and exploration. Maybe it is because I was home schooled for five years and became accustomed to teaching myself.

Douglas and I both got some incense and prayed.

Here are some more details from the temple.

I wish that I could afford a sculpture like these to put outside my door.

This object would spin when you pushed it.

I found it very funny that they were selling these large plastic flowers everywhere, both in the street outside the temple and inside the temple itself. People would buy them to place in front of the Buddhas. Then, we left one hall out the back door and saw these ladies gathering them up. I am sure that they would take right back to the front and resell them.

After the Lama Temple we went across the street and a block down a side street to the Natooke. I would have liked to stop at some of these shops to buy incense. The incense that they have at the temple does not smell nearly as good as the incense at the temples in Japan.

Douglas wanted to check out the bar, but I was more fascinated by the coffee and book store or the furniture outside this place.

Douglas stopped along the way to make friends with a couple of cats. Crème still has not forgiven him for cheating on her.

This adorable little boy was interested in our group.

At Natooke we met Ines Brunn and learned how a German physicist came to have a fixie bike shop in China.

All of the bike parts lined up around the shop were beautiful.

Douglas at last got to ride a fixie in China, if only for a few minutes. He wants to buy one now. Apparently, four bikes is not enough for him.

On our way back to the bus we passed this building with people carved into the side. I was fascinated by it, but I have no idea what it was. I wish that I had been able to investigate.

Our last lunch in Beijing was at a restaurant with some interesting decor.

 

I really liked the red velvet chairs and the chandeliers, even though they were not in such great shape any more. Douglas liked the horse.

The food was good, and you could watch it being prepared in the kitchen.

After that we were off to the airport. Here are more pictures that I took out of the bus window.

Check back next Monday, to read about our adventures in Shanghai. If you would like to read about our other travels, visit the Travels tab under the heading or click here.

Happy Travels!