Another great day in Beijing

We sooo lucked out meeting Chad, Melanie, Jack and Jessica on the trip to Datong. They gave us the name of Peter, their English speaking driver, who took them to the great wall. He wasn't able to do it but arranged for Lee (not much English but very helpful and pleasant) to take us at 6:30 this a.m. We were ready; he was on time. Very nice comfortable Nissan car and he was a good driver! Pat didn't wince ONCE while we were driving. Did I mentioned our getting rear ended in a taxi in the middle of an intersection in Shanghai on day two? No one was injured, no damage, just stopped in the middle while cars, buses, etc. came at us from all directions. We went on and everything was fine but Pat is a bit skittish! Anyway, first stop was Mutianya, about 2 hours outside Beijing. It is less restored (but not by much) than Badaling, the closest. I had never been to M. so it was new to me. Clinton was here! We were there way before the crowds, almost had the Wall to ourselves. Very magical and mystical!! Mountains all around, and it went on for miles that we could see over the peaks and ridge of this mountain range. We climbed LOTS of steps and walk from tower to tower. Pat and Marilyn went on for about another 45 minutes and almost made it to the top of a faraway tower/peak. We ran the gauntlet of hawkers on the way back down (we took a cable car up and down) and managed to come away with only 2 t-shirts for J and S, one with dragons, one with pandas. Lee then took us to the Ming tombs, finding a wonderful place for lunch where we treated him to great Chinese food! Sweet and sour pork, broccoli, local fish, fried chicken. Then we went through the Ming dynasty (1600s) tombs of an emperor and his two empresses. Again lots of stairs! We then found the Walk of Animals (it's not called that!) but has stone statues of camels, lions, horses, and officials. Cool! Then back to Beijing to drive by Olympic buildings - the cube, the Nest and the torch tower. Tonight we will go with the Hostel group to an acrobatic show. Tomorrow the Forbidden City and Hutong tour.