Greetings From Beijing (day 1 & 2)

We finally made it to Beijing yesterday- now only 9 days till we get Libby. I have never been on a plane for 16 hours before, and have never had a journey that spanned more than 24 hours. Although thanks to premium economy on China Southern Airlines (thanks for the suggestion Chris!) we had very comfortable flight and even slept for several hours. I had my first real Chinese breakfast (congee with really salty egg – it think it was duck-and pickled vegetables.) The flight attendant was pushing the cart down the aisle giving all the Asian looking passengers Chinese breakfast, and all the white people (Mei Guos like us) got American breakfast. When I got my omelet I was quite pleased until I noticed the Chinese guy sitting across the aisle eating congee, I interrupted the flight attendant and asked for Chinese breakfast. After a brief puzzled look, she made the switch and very kindly explained to me how to eat it. I love congee. I think I will eat it every day while I am in China.
















Our flight to Beijing took us through Guangzhou - here is our plane in Guangzhuo airport 6:00 am. . . pea soup! The passengers were arguing whether the thick fog was really fog, or just a lot of smog. I voted for both.

After arriving at noon Beijing time yesterday, and having been awake for more than 24 hours (I haven’t done that since college) we were met by our Wonderful guide Kathy and her husband Steve who drove us to our Hotel and helped us check in. The driving was not nearly as scary as everyone has warned us about – but Steve said it was worse during rush hour-and he seems like a very good driver. I expected Beijing to be much more crowded than it feels. Don’t get me wrong, there are almost 14 million people in this city, but it doesn’t feel nearly as crowded as I thought it would.

It’s 5:00 AM Beijing time (2 PM Pacific) and Kris and I tried really hard to sleep in this morning and reset our internal clock to China time. But we just couldn’t make it past 3:30. This is going to take a while. We are waiting for the first rays of sun to peak over the roof of the beautiful Bamboo Garden Hotel, where we are staying for about 4 days (Thanks again for the suggestion Chris!). As soon as the sun comes up, we’re going to walk to the forbidden city to watch the day begin at Beihai park. Then after breakfast (congee again, with chopped vegetables and small bits of well cooked bacon.) it’s off to the Hong Qiao market with Kathy to have some clothing made (handmade silk shirts for me, a jacket for Kris).

Here is the beautiful entrance to the Bamboo Garden Hotel:

Here is the Chinese Medicine building, just inside the courtyard of the hotel. Kris is getting a massage as I write this. She woke up with a bit of a sore neck, and is now receiving chinese massage treatment for her sore neck. We'll see how it works.


Here is the famous Pearl Market. Shopping is really something else. Buying anything takes a long time because you have to haggle for several minutes to get the best price.



We have only been in this city for about 24 hours, but I have already fallen in love with it. My first impression of Beijing is that it is a study of contrasts, the likes of which I have never seen. It is the most astoundingly beautiful and historic city I have ever been to. From the historic and opulent buildings of the temples, and forbidden city to the parks, which I have only managed to see from the outside so far. This beauty stands in stark contrast to the construction (Beijing summer games, 2008). From too many cranes to count permeate a thick grey and black cloud that coats everything (including the inside of your nose after a few hours on the street). Many of the old buildings throughout the city are extremely dilapidated, ramshackle, and even falling down. It’s hard to explain how this could also be a beautiful sight, but in it’s own way it is. I can’t wait to go see more of this city. – Matt

Well, we had a wonderful self-guided tour of the Hutong this morning. When you are on vacation, you are never lost . . . just exploring. We were up with the locals this morning and met many friendly people. Matt and I engaged in a little exercise as well as a jaunt around the bell tower.

Hutong means "narrow street" and describes wonderful old neighborhoods. Kris and I spent hours (about 4 or 5 hours total) strolling through the Hutongs and talking with the locals, most of whom were friendly and sweet.


Many of the products here are delivered by bicycle. the man below is delivering beer to a tea house on bicycle. the drum tower is in the background.

Kris and I enjoyed morning calisthenics at the courtyard of the Bell tower (the drum tower is in the background here). Every morning at 8 or so, the locals gather at local courtyards to do calisthenics.


Here is the drum tower.



this nice man let me take his picture . . .my Mandarin is good enough to ask about taking a picture. . . but, not good enough to ask permission to publish. . oops. . .I am sure we will still be friends! There are places with outdoor exercise equipment all over. . . sorta like jungle gyms for grown-ups! The equipment is really in good working order and really nice. Kris ~