Beijing and government tourist spots

Sofar Beijing has been alright.  The historic stuff is neato, since I just spent last semester studying about all this junk.  The touristy stuff, not so great.  Part of our tour (which Sophie, our guide, said is mandatory) is to stop at 3 factories: Jade, Pearl, and Silk.  All of which are owned by the government.  It wouldn't be so bad, but everything seems to have the same 'quirks', meaning the Jade people say "this is a staple of China.  Brings you good luck and good health," which was the same pitch we heard at the Pearl place, and even the Silk factory (they said the silk has minerals in it from the worm, great for the skin...)

I almost feel bad for the 30 or so workers on the show-room floor, one because my family never buys that junk, and two because they all seem terribly bored...

However, the historical stuff has been really cool, especially the part in the Forbidden City, where they have this well in the garden with a huge stone on top with a little hole in it.  Turns out it's a water hole to get water, and used to be big enough for people to jump into.  Also turns out the emperors concubines tended to get fed up with their lives of entrapment that they'd jump in the well and drown themselves often enough for there to be need for a stone on top.

The tour has been good though.  Seen stuff that I probly need to say, "yeah, I've been there" to my friends back home.  But it's all just for show.  I don't care too much about being a tourist.  I want to know I'm settling down somewhere for a while, take my time to explore and whatnot.

Oh well