The Chairman Mao, Tian'anmen, more Chairman Mao

Finally, after a few weeks of delay, I forced myself to head down the subway to the stop for Tiannamen. I was dreading this because it was inevitable that I would see other foreigners and I never know what to do when I see white people in another country. Should I say hello? Or pretend I don't see them? Or I could do as the Chinese often do to me and request a photo with them. I am still not sure whether or not I should be offended by this request-- (translated)"Hey, this guy has hair growing out of his face! And it is orange! Let''s get a photo."

Indeed, there were plenty of foreigners, but also many Chinese on the same pilgrimage as I.

The Forbidden City!

There it is, pilgrimage complete! All these years, I knew that one of vacant spots in my soul was reserved for a photo of me and the Chairman Mao. Consider it filled!

A closeup for those of you who could not see the remarkable reincarnated resemblence between the Chairman and I. And, of course, my eyes are closed, just as his were during the c-u-l-t-u-r-a-l r-e-v-o-l-u-t-i-o-n. (hyphens are used to avoid blocking/screening by the C-h-i-n-e-s-e G-0-v-e-r-n-m-e-n-t.)

The Chairman is rolling over in his grave right now! Capitalist Coca-Cola for sale just a few hundred feet from his frozen rigor mortis body. "Those capitalist pigs!"

Another sighting of the Chairman! This time in stone, where it shall last forever, just like his visions.
Revolution! And there, standing next to it, is one more gear in the machine. There she is - the site of patriotism and the unspoken political dissent.
China has its own Bridge to Nowhere! Take that Senator Stevens! Note: An official Dallas Maverick is working in the foreground.

After my time with the Chairman in Tian'anmen, I visited some parks north of the Square.
The only thing US 231 and China have in common is that there are bonsai trees all over the place. This is a little bitty teensy weensy Crepe Myrtle.


The Forbidden City, as seen from a man-made hill constructed from the soil removed from the moat around the Forbidden City.
Mo' bonsai.