Yesterday our guide told us this was a 4* toilet - I lucked out because the end stall had a toilet seat instead of a squatter type - but of course since it was a tourist area it was busy!  I guess there is a 7* toilet which has the automatic flush - woohooo.

 This morning we went to the park by the Temple of Heaven and it was full of people doing all kinds of exercise things and this is on a daily basis.  People over 65 get free passes to all the parks so are avid exercisers.  This "assistant grand master" gave us a tai chi lesson and I loved it.  Tai ji guan (tai chi) translates to Supreme Ultimate Fist or a gentle version of kung fu - I did pretty well.

 Temple of Heaven - where the Ming and another dynasty prayed for good harvests.

 Women doing all kinds of yarn projects in the park - and visiting.

 The Marriage Market - daily event where parents bring the sheet with the "resume" of the child they are trying to help find a spouse - very interesting.

 This guy was great and the woman was very flexible. He is also a Grand Master and she must be called Miss Flexible of Beijing!

 Such sweet people and beautiful children here in China.

 Rickshaw ride in a hutong - old lane or alley that has neighborhoods in courtyards called hutongs.

 love this old guy

 Typical alley and garbage is waiting for pickup - or not!

 We visited the home of a hutong courtyard dweller.  they are passed down from family to family and this was about 130 years old.  3 small buildings, 2,000 square feet and worth about $4.8 million USD - wow!  They cannot do anything to the inside but can improve the outside due to preservation restrictions.  The owner was Dr. Ho who was an artist and professor.  We had jasmine tea and could ask any questions we wanted - of course we know what would be allowed to ask:).

 Dr. Ho's office

 Mrs. Ho's kitchen

 The courtyard and the entrance to the "front door".  He raises pigeons for pigeon races where they drive the banded pigeons out many kilometers, let them go and see who wins. It is a betting thing also.

 PPP - Puppy Pee Preventers - seen on many cars here.

 Our rickshaw driver and it was total gridlock.

 Typical site - a form of transportation and a cell phone.

Heading to dinner at Duck de Chine now with 8 new friends from the tour.  We are going to try the famous Peking (Beijing) Duck.  It's a great and fun trip - no problems.