Judy is ready for a change of pace after all the work on “Annie”.  We decide to visit a Beijing landmark, the Lama Temple.  We head out to the train, stopping at McDonalds for breakfast.  I had been going through the Lama Temple train station all year on my way to BHSFIC, but hadn’t come above ground.  The street to the temple was narrow, crowded, and lined with shops selling incense.

Lots of incense in the air

This is just one of about 15 buildings, where similar prayers and incense burning were taking place.

The Lama Temple is the largest “lamasery” in China. One of the monks wandering by.

The temple grounds are really big, with numerous large buildings filled with statues.  It is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist Temples in the world, and the center of worship in Beijing. There are areas in front of each building to kneel and pray to whichever religious icon is inside.  There are people everywhere carrying large packets of incense sticks, and the smell of incense is everywhere.  We worked our way through the complex and were rewarded with a view of “The Big Buddha”.  It’s a huge statue, at least 60 feet tall.

Some of the Lama Temple sights. Pictures inside the buildings was discouraged.

We head home after our visit to relax.  We watch a few West Wing episodes, and when we get hungry, head over to our newest favorite place, Fatburger.  This is a habit we’re probably going to have to break, but later is better than sooner.