Beijing Memories

With the Winter Olympics now in progress I have been thinking back to October 2001 when I visited a customer in Beijing. I had been teaching a course in Shanghai and the Service Manager wanted me to visit an important customer in Beijing while I was in China. I was able to fly up to Beijing on Friday afternoon and spend some time visiting historic sites and museums on the weekend before visiting the customer.

Great Wall of China, Badaling, Braman's WanderingsThe pictures were all taken with an early digital camera that saved pictures on floppy disks, so they were  not the best quality. You can also tell how long ago these pictures were taken as I look much younger in this picture taken at the Great Wall.

Forbidden City, Beijing, China, Memories, Early DigitalAnother place I was able to visit was the Forbidden City. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day. Despite the rain and cold, I really enjoyed seeing the magnificent palace complex.

Zhengyangmen, tiananmen square, Beijing, China, historyWe also visited Tiananmen square where so many historic events have taken place.

Child with head poked in an opening of the Great Wall of China at Badaling.I have to also include this picture that I took at the Great Wall. It is so interesting to see what fascinates children when they visit a tourist spot.

Forbidden City, Beijing, China, Memories, Early DigitalI found another picture of Qianqinggong or the Palace of Heavenly Purity. I still can remember walking up these historic steps.

Someday I would like to go back to Beijing and visit some of these places again.

Steven

 

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Winter Olympic Memories

Tonight I have been watching the Opening Ceremonies for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Badaling, Great Wall of China, Ming Dynasty Wall, Reconstructed WallI will be watching for some of the places in Beijing and the surrounding areas that I visited back more than 20 years ago.

Curling, Canada, Canadian Sports, TravelI am glad to be home this year during the Winter Olympics. I will hopefully be able to watch some of my favorite events like Curling. There are many winter events that we only see when the Olympics roll around, but some like Curling are starting to be shown on TV more often.

Others like biathlon, speed skating and ski jumping are rarely seen in the US.

I have not often been home for the full Winter Olympics.

Seoul, South Korea, Old and Modern, Palace, SkyscrapersIn 2018 however I was home while the Olympics were being held in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Sydney Harbour - February 2014 - Winter Olympics Sochi - Winter Olympics in SummerIn 2014 I was in Sydney, Australia teaching a course while the Olympics were being contested in Sochi.

Antarctia, Paradise BayIn 2010 when the Winter Olympics were in Vancouver I was cruising in Antarctica.

2006 Winter Olympics - Turino - Italy - Milan Italy 2006 OlympicsIn 2006 I was very close to where the Winter Olympics were being held in Turin. I was in Milan teaching a course and saw some of the athletes who had come for some sightseeing.

Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral and Tabernacle - Baroque Architecture - Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución)In 2002 when the Winter Olympics were in Salt Lake City I was down in Mexico City teaching a class.

In 1998 when the Winter Olympics were in Nagano, Japan I was actually home in the Midwest. I was just then starting to transition from field service to training and would have only been traveling close to home.

I need to look at a schedule to see when my favorite events will be contested. Then I can plan my viewing 🙂

I will probably be thinking of some of my trips to China during the next weeks so don’t be surprised if you see some posts about China.

What are some of your favorite Winter Olympic sports?

Steven

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