Friday, July 22, 2011

Bei Hai Park

Emily and Amanda eating popcorn on our paddle boat before we almost got run over!
Only a few of the many many stairs.
What we found at the top of all the stairs :)
I love dragons!

75 cent heavenly lunch! yum!

Day 17- Bei Hai Park

Today Emily and I woke up and decided to go explore a large park! We rented a paddle boat on the lake and almost got ran over by a larger boat.  We hike to the high high high White Dagoba.  It was so hot climbing the many many stairs but the few was amazing.  You could see what Beijing must have looked like a long time ago.

After a few attempts we got a taxi and headed off to the Bell and Drum Towers.  We decided againist the stairs but walk around the many hutongs of Hou Hai.  We ate very tasty steamed buns and noodles.  The meal cost us each 75 cents.  We then made our way back to the hotel very tired and satisfied with our success and adventure.

Day 16- Lama Temple

The Lama Temple has been the best thing I have seen in Beijing so far.  It was a place not just for tourist but a place of worship.  It just felt so special to be around the energy of a place with such history.  I walked around alone just smelling the incense and listening to the bells.   Simple and pleasant.

After I got a call from some other MCAD students who are teaching at the Rainbow School in Beijing.  I went and had a lunch feast with them in one of the fanciest restaurants I have eaten at.  I ate the Beijing pecking duck wraps.

The day ended with the lovely surprise of Emily coming in to Beijing for a visit!

Lama Temple

Monks moving incense
Everyone left prayer incense and the air smelled sweet with hope.

Forbidden City

Many many people
Dragon
Temples
Whole family wearing shirts saying smile :)

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Night Market- Chinese Street Food

So many people!

Breakfast

PanJia Market

Dinner

Day 14 and 15- Welcome to Beijing

Last couple of days have been rather hectic.  I was driven from the village to what feels like the largest city and hottest city I have ever seen, Beijing.  After checking into my hotel that has a real bed, hot water, fully working plumbing, a little fridge and ac, I thought I had gone to heaven. Xiaobei, the director and my friend Bai came with me.  After dropping off all my bags we went off to explore.  We walked through huge malls and down small alleys.  We stopped for dinner at a small restaurant and had noodle soup.  Bai stayed with me that night.  We laughed for a long time about how to say bed, bad, and bird. In the morning Bai took me shopping at the PanJia Yuan Antique Market.  We took the subway there.  I am not sure if I have ever been in any space with so many people.  People were pressed against my back and front.  They were all pushing.  I was getting close to puking when we got off.  I decided no more subway in Beijing for me.  Luckily my hotel is only a few blocks from most things! On our way to the market we stopped at a glasses complex.  A mall of all glasses stores.  I bought a new pair for $20!  Then of to the market to bargain for some jade.  By 1am I was beat.  We came back to the hotel and Bai left for the residency and I slept for three hours.  I woke up hungry.  I did something I would never do.  I stumbled upon a mall food court with a subway and DQ and I ate both!