Let us celebrate you Beijing, because it's nearing our time to mourn you

The Last Morning.

We decided to spend it wandering the Emperor's Gardens, found across the street from the Forbidden City. (And, not to interrupt myself, but to give you pause to consider: this picture might give you a clue as to why I was considered a freak o' nature throughout my trip....)

The first thing we saw when we entered the garden was this lake of lotus flowers surrounded by a ring of willow trees, floating & swaying in the breeze.

We quickly decided we needed to become one with the lotus, so we hopped aboard this boat.

We reveled in the peace of it all, as we slowly meandered through the water.

Then, I fell in love.

It was difficult to part from our prime seating, but when the boat reached the dock we hopped on out for there were many other parts of the park to explore.

Eventually we had to say good-bye to the Garden, because it was about the time for

The Last Afternoon.

Across the street from the park was another Lotus lake, with an even larger attraction: The Lotus Market.

Yi-Ting and I had already scoped out the place, but we thought Yu-Chen should see it.

We settled into some lakeside seating for lunch, and then Yu-Chen and I hit the shops while Yi-Ting went off and amused herself elsewhere.

We browsed and bought for a few hours, until it was time to find Yi-Ting and head to the Silk Market.

They offered much more than silk, as you can see.

After shrewdly bargaining our way through the place, Yi-Ting and I left Yu-Chen there and went to find some food.

We had to face the facts.

 It was time for--

Our Last Dinner.

(I think this is supposed to be me, looking sad...)

After we were nourished by the Chinese for the last time, I made my way home to our apartment/hotel while Yi-Ting went to find some opera.

I packed my bags.

I reflected quietly on the weeks behind me.

I thought: "Good."

The next morning our taxi rolled us to the airport and we flew across the ocean on a long journey home.

Do not be sad, however.  Your time to mourn is not quite here, because there are still a few more moments that I want to share with you.  Goodies like an old beggar man that I bonded with, a Dutch cannon that I found my heritage in, and more about those incredible hot springs.

So, my friends, thank you for reading and for your supportive thoughts.  The Finale is still to come!