Hey everyone! We've arrived in Beijing safe and sound. We got here yesterday afternoon and walked around a little bit. We were pretty tired, and managed to order some food successfully at a Chinese restaurant. However we weren't as successful ordering drinks. The "apple juice" we thought we were getting turned out to be some eckto-plasmic green colored apple soda. Mmm, tasted like a jolly rancher. Also, cauliflower is really brocolli here.
Jess and Danielle couldn't sleep and went exploring at 3 am. Yes, the stores are open then! Phan and Kristin slept for 12 hours.
Today we went to the Forbidden City, Tianenman Square and Jingjong (?) Park. We saw the big picture of Mao (although I have to say it was smaller than I thought it would be), dressed up in Chinese costumes for a picture, and successfully dealt with several squatty potties. And as you can tell, we found the internet cafe, although that was a bit of a challenge. So far Danielle is the best bargainer amoung us so we are looking to her to help us get good deals on all the stuff.
We are here in Beijing for four more days, so we'll write more later. Hopefully at some point we can upload some pictures, although the computers in this cafe are locked in a cage-like contraption, so it won't happen today unfortunately.
Here are some observations about Beijing so far:
- They have a lot of really pretty, colorful flowers lining the streets. But then we realized they are actually fake.
- Men seem to carry purses here.
- Every store generally has around one salesperson per square meter.
- Pedestriains do NOT have the right of way. Luckily we all still have all of our limbs although Phan almost got taken out by a biker earlier today.
- We love dumplings and noodles!!!
- We have learned a little Mandarin, such as "no ice!" and "I don't want it!"
- People like to stare at our blond hair and even try to take pictures with us. We feel like celebrities!
Hope all is well back in the US! More updates soon! Zia jian!
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5 comments:
Fake flowers! - kinda like their name: "People's" Republic. Perfect!
I heard it's customary to tip every person that helps you in a store there. did you bring enough change?
Your fortune for today: Danielle will truly show her meddle as a negotiator by getting a great deal on the Giant Mao picture. Jess will struggle to get it into her suitcase for the trip to Shanghai.
Keep smiling for the photos (and the wealthy little china men)!
As a china man once said... yes, that china man is me... don't let Phan negotiate the prices as they will most likely go up instead of down.
Have fun. Gotta love the MOTHERLAND!!
Great posting! Sounds like you are having a blast!! Looking forward to the photos!
You made it to China before me and you are not even Chinese!!!
I'm 1/2 Chinese but obviously didn't get me to China before you.
:)
Looks like you guys are having fun. You should check out hohai for some food and cheesy boat rides(believe it is behind the forbidden city).
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