Splendid China Fall 2013 #3

Motoring to our next stop, the Temple of Heaven (1406-1420) built during Emperor Yongle's reign, a collection of religious buildings, now standing in a beautiful park of 670 acres

Temple of Heaven

Gate of Prayer
Emperor went to humble himself in prayer to guarantee a good harvest

Beijing Opera

 

With aching feet and near collapsed knee joints, we were treated to the Beijing Opera in the evening. Here, we experienced a different style of singing in high pitched voices, the elaborate costumes, some elements of acrobatics and martial arts.

Splendid China Fall 2013 # 2

Next stop was Tian’an men Square

the largest urban square in the world

The Monument to the People’s Heroes, Tian’an men Square

National Museum of China, facing Tian’an men Square

18.2 meter  parterre in the centre of Tian’an men Square

Like anything big in Beijing, a big production tour group picture with the Jin Shui Qiao as a backdrop was taken. NB: past experience, a group picture usually takes place towards the end of the trip, but this was done @ a time when no one even knew each other, thus an urgent request to our National Tour Guide Cathy, to provide a list of names!  Chi Min Lee does not get flustered easily!!!  She provided us the details plus more info @ the end of the trip.

LOL!  You can not miss me... with the bright green jacket!

Splendid China (Fall 2013) 1st of a Series

In October 2013, my friend Angela and I embarked on a holiday to China.  The best way to see a vast and diverse country was to join an organized tour that took us 13,500 kms to 19 cities on 7 Coach rides, 5 Air flights, 3 river cruises on the Yi, Li and Yangtze and a chance to experience the High Speed Rail in China, the longest HSR network in the world @ 9300Kms of routes in service as of December 2012.

We flew from Toronto, connected in Washington, DC for a flight to Beijing.  Beijing, a city of over 13 million, is on a 24 hour gridlock and the traffic is mind boggling.  Driving along Hwy 401 @ its busiest, can never compare!  I, too, promise to keep silent next time I travel the ever busy California Highways.

The weather cooperated well with us.  Apart from the 1^st night of smog upon arrival, it was sunny and bright.  There was so much to see and do in Beijing.  Like a whirlwind, our visit began.  Our first stop-Forbidden City, the Emperor’s palace, was off limits to commoners for centuries.  Forbidden City has 9,999 rooms and viewing the highlights of this place took us nearly a day to visit.

My friend Angela Martino

The Watch Tower in the Forbidden City

BCHSIAA Ontario Chapter On The Go !!!

BCHIAA Chapter Officers held a meeting Nov 24th to form committees for the upcoming 20th Celebration of the Chapter's formation October 25, 2014

4 "working" committees have been established with each having a Chairperson plus working members assigned. The committee chairs are still in need of volunteers. Pls. call Chairperson (s), to volunteer your expertise:

Ticket Sales - Amy Nanni & Nonette Carion

Entertainment - Melissa Flores

Souvenir Program - Aurora Alcampo

Chapter President Aurora Rosalin Alcampo (seated Front Middle) & the Working Committees

There are 30 active "working" members and each one might be pulled into 1-2 committees.  Amy Hamada Nanni chairs Ticket sales and Advertisement Programs, while the other 62er, AuroraL is a member of the Souvenir Program Committee.  Each of the participants pictured above will have to work hard(er) to make the event happen on October 25th, 2014.  We invite "all" of you to share in the celebrations and see the (2) '62ers in Toronto work their retirement years in action !!!

Baguio Soiree (Pre-Haiyan)

Munching on bananas while posting, I envy the Baguio Ladies of 62, for yet another "munchy munchy" celebration on October 30th.  Ping Estepa hosted a merienda cena @ the famous MARIO's celebrating

Winnie on her 67th Birthday!

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y  W I N N I E (Belated) !!

(L-R):  Ping, GloV, Estela, Cres Mary, Winnie & Pat

Happy Thanksgiving !!!

To: Everyone 

From: Amy, Atong, Aurora 

& the elusive James 

Gobble, Gobble Canada !!!

Marseille, France - Beating the Odds !!!

A chance meeting of familiar faces in Marseille, France;  September 29, 2013

 (Complimentary Pictures sent by Beth F Orpilla)

Narrative by Elmer Alcoba (via FB): 

"Yes, I met Beth while we were on a cruise. I already saw her when the cruise started, and I was asking myself where did I see her before. I ask her husband where they were from, and he said Baguio, so I said I am from Baguio.  Beth added, City High Class 62... me too, I'm Elmer, and that's how the surprise meeting took place.  Then, I remembered seeing her from the pictures of the class 62 reunion."

Beth, Tita, Elmer Alcoba & wife, Ditas, Polly (friend)

Polly (friend), Ditas & Elmer Alcoba, Tita Frigillana & Beth F Orpilla

Ditas & Elmer Alcoba (San Diego);Tita Frigillana, Beth F & Manny Orpilla (N York) @ Marseille, France

Belated   HAPPY  BIRTHDAY   Elmer!!!

COMMENTS:

vickie villarde-estepa:  October 13, 2013 at 6:15 PM

What a pleasant surprise to know that Beth and Elmer met in a cruise and re-affirmed their connection to BCHS Class 62! Through Elmer's reference to the reunion pictures, now I know that he received the souvenir mag I sent him last year! That makes just 1 who haven't confirmed yet. May there be more cruises in the future for Class '62!