Beijing (Part 3)

The Forbidden City – The grounds of the Imperial Palace and all the accompanying buildings (i.e. the Hall of Supreme Harmony, The Hall of Central Harmony, The Hall of Preserving Harmony, The Gate of Heavenly Purity, The Gate of Heavenly Unity, etc). Many generations of Emperors lived out virtually their entire lives here, so it is the size of several city blocks and every square inch is lavishly decorated. It got its name because peasants were “forbidden” to enter it – mainly because they spit uncontrollably and tried to sell cheap crap to anyone who appeared to be carrying money.










As you leave The Forbidden City, you will hear the familiar “hello”. Young Chinese people want to talk to you. You will oblige. Like all other young Chinese people who want to talk to you, their English will be impressive. In China, the people who study English actually end up learning English. And, they are not embarrassed to use it. When you tell Chinese people that you teach English in Japan, they will giggle. “Japanese people can’t speak English,” they will say. This is true. Apparently all of Asia knows this.