So I am trying to catch everyone up on the last few things I did in China before I left. Over thanksgiving weekend I went to Beijing to spend the weekend with Jared and Josh two of my best friends in the whole world (Figures we are all in China at the same time right?). The weekend consisted of a little sight seeing a little shopping an orphanage visit and some great man time.
This weekend really taught me the beauty in deep friendships. Jared and Josh have been a part of my life through all the high and lows. Jared has known me since I was like 2 years old or so and he has been an integral part in my development throughout my life. Josh has been my best friend since my 15th birthday I think where he gave me a certificate for one year of friendship. Though a very creative gift for being poor it started a friendship that I am exceedingly thankful for.
Well I went to Beijing on thanksgiving day and landed there that night only to find out that Josh had missed his train and wasn't going to be there till later on Friday. Not a huge deal. It gave Jared and I a good day together to do a little shopping, sightseeing, and some good conversation. Then Josh got there and he mad everything horrible...kidding. If you know Josh and I we have a good time being friends on other sides of the world, but when we get together something happens and move into a deeper kind of friendship that involves laughing about the absurd for who knows how long. In fact we just sat there and giggled at each other like little school girls who haven't seen each other all summer. The giggling ensued for a good 5-10 min and resurfaced occasionally throughout the night.
While seeing sights I saw some things like Mao's tomb, the temple of heaven, and the forbidden city. Probably the coolest thing was seeing the orphanage that Jared will be at soon. We went there to see the orphanage perform. Here is a video from that performance It is poor quality but I only had my camera phone so deal with it:
Here are a few pictures from my tour around the forbidden city:
In the end it was a great trip. The beautiful truth of this experience is that good friends and deep friendships are the best possible things humans can have.
Ecclesiastes 9: 7-10:
"Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in death, to which you are going."
