Pandas!

Well, the big day finally came - a visit to the Bejing Zoo, domicile to some of the world's most famous inhabitants - the Pandas. I was on a mission, I arrived early, paid the extra entrance fee and staked out the most advantageous spot for taking pictures. Then I waited, and waited and waited in 45% cloudy weather for the smallest sign of life from one of these sleeping giants. Finally, at the twitch of a paw, a Chinese squeal of delight arose from beside me and suddenly the area was filled wth adults acting like groupies at a rock concert. I held my own, I was not giving up that spot I'd claimed, even if they did have children with them. I don't know how long I was there, maybe 45 minutes. After a snack, a few poses for the crowd, the panda went back to sleep on his perch. Pleased with a small trove of picures, I returned to a small restaurant behind the hotel for some hot soup - hmmm, I think I'll try the "Double-boiled Chicken and Conch with Monkey-head Fungus and Dried Scallop."