Day 11 – Beijing

We arrived in Beijing and headed for the hotel.  Checking in 85 involves unloading 2 buses, getting 50 keys, assigning keys to people, locating the right building, moving 2 pieces of luggage plus instruments to the right rooms…Needless to say it was a late night.  The kids slept in and we loaded up for a visit to the Olympic Park.

Beijing is a busy place.  Everything looks modern and clean and there are gardens everywhere.  We spent about 45 minutes walking down a long pedistrian mall between the Water Cube and the Bird’s Nest.  Both were impressive. 

The water cube is much bluer than the skies here but it’s raining now so hopefully tomorrow will be clearer.

After the park, we headed to the China Music Conservatory.  The kids got in a rehearsal for the first time in a week.  Afterwards, we had dinner and then a joint concert.  This school has traditional and Western musicians.  Tonight was traditional.  A wide variety of instruments were demonstrated and then the kids played.  They were great.  After a quick stage change, our kids took the stage.  Keynes explained we got in early this morning and despite their fatigue, the kids played great.  There were standing ovations all around and of course, more photos.  Both orchestras took the stage and the cameras went crazy.

It was photo mayhem.  There were several dignitaries in the audience including a composer who is known world wide.  I didn’t catch his name- maybe tomorrow.  Anyone blonde, tall or male got plenty  of teenage girls wanting pictures.  Our tallest boy stood up and the cooing started.  After about 20 minutes, we had to leave.  The kids were ready to head back to the hotel and relax.