Some sightseeing on Fall Break (Acrobat show, Forbidden City, Silk market, Zoo, Aquarium)

This is the worst I have seen the pollution so far. So far, we have only had pollution on 3 of the days living here. The pollution was 180 on this day. This is still not nearly as bad as I had expected. Out of 5 weeks of living here, we have been able to play outside every day, except 3. Even on these days, the pollution was cleared by noon.

This was a fun day for us to dress up on and go out to dinner and then watch the acrobat show. It was weird to do the tourist thing, when we have actually lived here for over a month.

My favorite part was the motorcycles driving around in a ball. This show was similar to Cirque Du Soleil.

These are called split pants. All the kids that are potty training wear them. Toddlers squat and go potty whenever they have to go.

Xinhuamen Gate Gate of New China

The Forbidden City was full of amazing architecture. There were so many rooms and it was easy to get lost.

Entrance to Forbidden City

There are cool designs on the tops of the structures.

This is my new favorite favorite fruit. It is Dragon Fruit and is so juicy and delicious.

I discovered a water dispenser in my apartment. I got so excited.

These are some of the famous Hutongs of China. Hutong is a Mongolian word meaning water well. It is the name given to a lane or small street that originated during the Yuan Dynasty. They have become representatives of local culture.

We took the subway to the Silk Market. This is a place where you bargain with the sales people. I actually had a lady screaming and following me out of her store when I wouldn't buy something. I almost turned around and walked out of the place. But, thankfully, everyone else was really nice.

Carly got a pretty metal elephant figurine.

I got a knockoff pair of Oakley sunglasses.

These little green things have become one of my favorite snacks. They are pasty inside and are really yummy.

We made it to the Beijing Zoo and Carly was most excited about this than anything else so far.

Just seeing the Pandas was worth the trip to the Zoo. They sat and ate bamboo or slept the whole time.

We had a really good view of a Momma monkey carrying around her baby. So cute!

The next stop was the Beijing aquarium. The sharks were so cool to see up close. This is the largest and most advanced inland aquarium in China.

We saw sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, dolphins, and whales.