Beijing

23 May 2009 - Tim works.. but not a whole lot, and seemingly not particularly hard. He makes enough to eat, sleep somewhere nice, and has plenty of time to enjoy not just Beijing, but much of Asia up to now. This day, while he worked (all of like 4-5 hours), I ventured through a rather well-preserved district of dynastic Chinese thought - covering the enlightening Harmony and Peace Palace Lamasery, the age-old Temple of Confucious, and the cultivated Imperial Academy. Needless to say, I felt much endowed with a sense of the scope of history this city has seen. Aside from the darker history inherent to every empire, the degree of craftsmanship in the artwork and architecture of this part the city bespoke of a highly refined culture.

This Buddha statue is 18m (~4 stories) tall, carved from a single trunk of sandalwood.

I can only imagine this is how peaceful the Lamasery looked hundreds of years ago... when the sky in Beijing was clear.

Not a typical Buddha image seen in the West; one of the many esoteric icons.

At the temple/school named for his teachings , a posthumous tribute to who was one of the most influential figured in Chinese civilization. Here, Confucious says: Welcome!

Teachers chairs are usually the most comfortable in the room, but this? Central lecture hall at the Imperial University.

Later that day, we met up again, drank some beers & went to go watch some fights. "Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates the Art of War Fighting Championship 12,... at the National Olympic Sports Center Auditorium." Shit was so serious, Michael Buffer AND a contingent of the Gracie family showed up. Plus the Tims.

Rolles Gracie!! Of course, he kicked ass in his match.

Ohh yes, we were ready to Ruuuuummmmble.