1. Professional

Beijing

From August 9-13, 2008, I visited Beijing, China (as part of an almost month-long journey to Shanghai, Beijing, and Geneva). I traveled to Beijing following the presentation of a paper on Audio Description at the 18th World Congress of the International Federation of Translators in Shanghai; while in Beijing, I was invited to present a demo of description for Yuan Pei, the largest translation agency in China. The photos in this gallery are focused on my overall visit to Beijing: a visit to the Ming Tombs, a jade factory, a cloisonne studio, the Mutianyu area of the Great Wall of China, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Tian'an Men Square, Mao's Mausoleum, the Forbidden City, the "Flying Acrobatics Show," a visit to "The Egg"--the National Centre for the Performing Arts and a performance by the Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe, and a performance of "My Dream" by the China Disabled People's Performing Arts Troupe.
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  • My Beijing home away from home--the Jinbao Grand Hotel which, unfortunately, was anything but grand.  I needed to rely on a travel agency to find even this place because I was traveling to Beijing during the Olympics and the better hotels were fully booked. Oh well ...

    My Beijing home away from home--the Jinbao Grand Hotel which, unfortunately, was anything but grand. I needed to rely on a travel agency to find even this place because I was traveling to Beijing during the Olympics and the better hotels were fully booked. Oh well ...

  • My Beijing home away from home--the Jinbao Grand Hotel

    My Beijing home away from home--the Jinbao Grand Hotel

  • Uh ... this was taped to the wall in my room

    Uh ... this was taped to the wall in my room

  • First order of business: a day-long tour of the environs--on the way we passed "the Bird's Nest" (more photos later) ...

    First order of business: a day-long tour of the environs--on the way we passed "the Bird's Nest" (more photos later) ...

  • ... the "Dragon Building" (hotel and offices, near the Olympics structures)...

    ... the "Dragon Building" (hotel and offices, near the Olympics structures)...

  • ... the CCTV headquarters

    ... the CCTV headquarters

  • The Ming Tombs--entrance area to the Chang Ling tomb

    The Ming Tombs--entrance area to the Chang Ling tomb

  • Tourists as emperor and empress

    Tourists as emperor and empress

  • Hall of Eminent Favor

    Hall of Eminent Favor

  • Detail of engraving

    Detail of engraving

  • Yongle, the third Ming Emperor, with describer (this guy--the Emperor--moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing and oversaw the construction of the Forbidden City)

    Yongle, the third Ming Emperor, with describer (this guy--the Emperor--moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing and oversaw the construction of the Forbidden City)

  • A bow sheath, arrows and arrow bag constructed for Emperor Wan Li

    A bow sheath, arrows and arrow bag constructed for Emperor Wan Li

  • Detail of the roof--the emperor gets the most creatures on the roof ...

    Detail of the roof--the emperor gets the most creatures on the roof ...

  • ... and dragons on the sides

    ... and dragons on the sides

  • A moat protects priceless artifacts--and don't you span

    A moat protects priceless artifacts--and don't you span

  • The approach to The Spirit Tower

    The approach to The Spirit Tower

  • The Changling Tomb (Emperor Yongle's Tomb)--see placard photo, two slides forward

    The Changling Tomb (Emperor Yongle's Tomb)--see placard photo, two slides forward

  • Detail of The Changling Tomb (Emperor Yongle's Tomb)--see placard photo, one slide forward

    Detail of The Changling Tomb (Emperor Yongle's Tomb)--see placard photo, one slide forward

  • Placard by The Changling Tomb (Emperor Yongle's Tomb)

    Placard by The Changling Tomb (Emperor Yongle's Tomb)

  • Following in Mao's footsteps--these days, his relaxation might have been disturbed by the sale of souvenirs and refreshments ...

    Following in Mao's footsteps--these days, his relaxation might have been disturbed by the sale of souvenirs and refreshments ...

  • ... and they're cheap too!  Tell "you" friends!

    ... and they're cheap too! Tell "you" friends!

  • On to a jade factory ...

    On to a jade factory ...

  • ... where jade is shaped and polished--and sold to tourists on group tours to be sure!

    ... where jade is shaped and polished--and sold to tourists on group tours to be sure!

  • Jade was at the center of each of the medals awarded at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

    Jade was at the center of each of the medals awarded at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

  • Next up, a cloisonne factory--a form I had always associated with the French ...

    Next up, a cloisonne factory--a form I had always associated with the French ...

  • Wire is carefully arranged and glued to pottery ...

    Wire is carefully arranged and glued to pottery ...

  • ... the work is fired to a red hot glow ...

    ... the work is fired to a red hot glow ...

  • ... painted and polished to its finished state

    ... painted and polished to its finished state

  • Time for lunch--chinese, of course!  At left, an American businessperson with his Chinese friend; to the right, a couple from the Canary Islands who work with Iron Man competitions worldwide

    Time for lunch--chinese, of course! At left, an American businessperson with his Chinese friend; to the right, a couple from the Canary Islands who work with Iron Man competitions worldwide

  • In the parking lot--running free ... or at least until dinner time??!!  (#1)

    In the parking lot--running free ... or at least until dinner time??!! (#1)

  • In the parking lot--running free ... or at least until dinner time??!!  (#2, #3)

    In the parking lot--running free ... or at least until dinner time??!! (#2, #3)

  • In the parking lot--running free ... or at least until dinner time??!!  (#4)

    In the parking lot--running free ... or at least until dinner time??!! (#4)

  • And then--the Great Wall of China

    And then--the Great Wall of China

  • Hmmm ... should I take the step-way for the moun-ting?

    Hmmm ... should I take the step-way for the moun-ting?

  • Nah--I'll do the cable car ... after all, I'm not a "Habitual Abortion Woman" (see caution in the middle, II. #3)

    Nah--I'll do the cable car ... after all, I'm not a "Habitual Abortion Woman" (see caution in the middle, II. #3)

  • And speaking of language, politically correct verbiage hasn't quite entered the consciousness of the Chinese-English translators ...

    And speaking of language, politically correct verbiage hasn't quite entered the consciousness of the Chinese-English translators ...

  • View from the cable car, looking down

    View from the cable car, looking down

  • View from the cable car, looking up

    View from the cable car, looking up

  • Untitled photo
  • Quite something ...

    Quite something ...

  • With tour guide Lin

    With tour guide Lin

  • On the way down ... a vendor

    On the way down ... a vendor

  • I actually wondered whether the Chinese would allow the Great Wall area to be despoiled by vendors ... silly me

    I actually wondered whether the Chinese would allow the Great Wall area to be despoiled by vendors ... silly me

  • Members of the Russian Olympics squad at the Great Wall ...

    Members of the Russian Olympics squad at the Great Wall ...

  • ... the Hungarians too

    ... the Hungarians too

  • Speaking of the Olympics, let's go!  Pictured here is "The Water Cube," site of the aquatics competitions

    Speaking of the Olympics, let's go! Pictured here is "The Water Cube," site of the aquatics competitions

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