Beijing in 24 Hours: Part II
Dor Shao Chien? Something I’d like to share with readers before I start today’s entry: the best advice given to me by my friend when bargaining a price in China: look shock, and then walk away. Then, watch the price go down for the item in question. This works pretty much every time. And because a vendor will probably be selling the same item the next vendor is also selling, purchasing an item becomes a “name your price” game.
Anyways, on to the last half of my 24-hour stay in China. This morning I had a Beijing breakfast with Cynthia in a hole-in-the-wall eatery. Literally, the place was located outside between two brick buildings and I can probably describe it as an alleyway, but it really wasn’t. There were a couple of outdoor tables and chairs and behind me some clothes were hanging dry. The typical breakfast for about 50 cents was a very filling porridge with some pickled vegetables as side dishes. We also had some steamed dumplings.
It was then off to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square for the morning. We hopped on the Beijing subway. I noticed that the subway had three main lines, and two of those lines started and ended in the same location, meaning it went in a circle. I guess if you are unsure or missed your stop, you can stay on that line and wait until your stop passes again.
Tiananmen Square was busy as usual, and we took a couple of pictures, especially near a sign that was counting down the time until the Olympics. I also got a chance to fall in line to see Mao’s body. My advice: Do not bring any purses or cameras with you (or have a friend hold on to it). You will not be allowed in with these items and you will be forced to check it in. In line, many Chinese were rushing to buying flowers to lay at the feet of a large while statue of Mao before they entered another room with his body, which was looking really, really well preserved to me. I read an article a couple of months ago in the LA Times (or perhaps NY Times) which debated whether China will leave the body there on display during the Olympics. Maybe a wax substitute?
The city appeared sleepy today, with many of the rickshaw drivers taking naps. I can only imagine how much business will book when the Olympics come to town. My freind and I then hopped on those rickshaw motorbikes and paid for a one-hour tour of the backstreets of Hutong. To me, it was an exciting ride as the driver skirted past pedestrians, and wizzed through narrow alleys. It was great to catch a breeze during this somewhat humid and gray day. During the ride, I was able to see some tiny residential areas located behind all the touristy ones, with people in doing various actions: playing mahjong, making bricks, taking more naps, and selling fruits. Kids were playing with their peers. Will these areas still be here, or will it be relocated because of the Games in 2008?
That afternoon, I had to rush back to the airport to catch my flight to Chongqing, but again, not without a full meal as both Cynthia and I watched two Chinese girls, who sat across from us, scarf down 12 dumplings each. I said my goodbyes, very grateful and feeling spoiled by a good friend who helped show me around town. My next mission was to find Arlene somewhere in Chongqing! With her hotel written down in Chinese, could I make my way to her from the Chongquing airport? Stay tuned….
Anyways, on to the last half of my 24-hour stay in China. This morning I had a Beijing breakfast with Cynthia in a hole-in-the-wall eatery. Literally, the place was located outside between two brick buildings and I can probably describe it as an alleyway, but it really wasn’t. There were a couple of outdoor tables and chairs and behind me some clothes were hanging dry. The typical breakfast for about 50 cents was a very filling porridge with some pickled vegetables as side dishes. We also had some steamed dumplings.
It was then off to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square for the morning. We hopped on the Beijing subway. I noticed that the subway had three main lines, and two of those lines started and ended in the same location, meaning it went in a circle. I guess if you are unsure or missed your stop, you can stay on that line and wait until your stop passes again.
Tiananmen Square was busy as usual, and we took a couple of pictures, especially near a sign that was counting down the time until the Olympics. I also got a chance to fall in line to see Mao’s body. My advice: Do not bring any purses or cameras with you (or have a friend hold on to it). You will not be allowed in with these items and you will be forced to check it in. In line, many Chinese were rushing to buying flowers to lay at the feet of a large while statue of Mao before they entered another room with his body, which was looking really, really well preserved to me. I read an article a couple of months ago in the LA Times (or perhaps NY Times) which debated whether China will leave the body there on display during the Olympics. Maybe a wax substitute?
The city appeared sleepy today, with many of the rickshaw drivers taking naps. I can only imagine how much business will book when the Olympics come to town. My freind and I then hopped on those rickshaw motorbikes and paid for a one-hour tour of the backstreets of Hutong. To me, it was an exciting ride as the driver skirted past pedestrians, and wizzed through narrow alleys. It was great to catch a breeze during this somewhat humid and gray day. During the ride, I was able to see some tiny residential areas located behind all the touristy ones, with people in doing various actions: playing mahjong, making bricks, taking more naps, and selling fruits. Kids were playing with their peers. Will these areas still be here, or will it be relocated because of the Games in 2008?
That afternoon, I had to rush back to the airport to catch my flight to Chongqing, but again, not without a full meal as both Cynthia and I watched two Chinese girls, who sat across from us, scarf down 12 dumplings each. I said my goodbyes, very grateful and feeling spoiled by a good friend who helped show me around town. My next mission was to find Arlene somewhere in Chongqing! With her hotel written down in Chinese, could I make my way to her from the Chongquing airport? Stay tuned….
posted by RENEWED at
12:10 PM
