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It would be a difficult task to recount everything I have done in the last two weeks since I last blogged, so this will be the abbreviated version of the rest of my time in Beijing.
First off, I have to say, this country is fantastic! I really wasn't sure what to expect, and I for SURE didn't expect to love a city as huge and busy (and polluted) as Beijing as much as I now do. But Julie and I got ourselves comfortable in our new environment and knocked out as many items on our 'To Do' list as we could, with journaling breaks at the nearby Starbucks (of course there would be a dozen or so here) and movie breaks for our illegal DVD purchases.
We saw all the important sites in the city, The Summer Palace for example, with a friend from Gig Harbor, Lauren Woodward, and her visiting friend Ricky. Everyone is visiting China right now! We checked out the Temple of Heaven, which was beautiful and full of tourists. Julie and I explored a bit of the garden network around the complex and laid in the grass in the shade for the better part of an hour. Then passed 100 plus Chinese people in a tour, every single one of whom stared at us in the grass as they walked by, (they think its too dirty.) But then three women decided to sit in the grass too, I like to think I'm changing customs. Ha ha, yeah right. Soon after this we were kicked off. Ah well. We also checked out the Prince Gong's Mansion which is gorgeous, and would have been even better without the crowds, but we still made a point of wandering around there longer than necessary.
Julie and I also got ourselves to some theatrical type productions. Xiao Wei hooked us up with Acrobatic Theatre tickets and that was a blast. I am so jealous of those boys and their upper body strength. Julie had also been recommended the Kung Fu theatre, so we went over there too to see "The Legend of Kung Fu, The Story of Chun Yi." It was strange, but interesting. I have never seen anything quite like it before. We also saw a bit of Peking Opera, but not much. Julie had seen some in old Chinese movies and opted out of it. I, however, hadn't, so when we visited the Lao She Tea House and there was a little production of it going on, I was into it. The costuming and makeup were fabulous, but the shrill voices and constant banging of gongs (seemingly without any context) began to grate on some nerves fairly quickly.
The last few days of our time in Beijing, our friend Xiao Wei (first Betsy and Mom's friend) took care of us. First, he took us on a bike tour of the Hutong (the narrow, twisty, old-fashioned streets north of the center.) That was such a blast. Not only did we find some great shopping, but Xiao Wei scared the **** out of us when he would spontaniously cross an 8 lane street right as the light was changing. It all felt very Asian. :) Especially when we rode around Tian'anmen Square and the Fobidden City, that was an experience I won't soon forget. Then XW finished off the day by inviting us to dinner the next day at his new apartment. Yay!
The next day our friend at the hostel, Xiao Yue, spent the afternoon teaching Julie and I how to play Mah Jiang, a very popular game with old men in street cafes. It is played similar to gin rummy, but when the instructor speaks shaky English, the learning takes time. Xiao Yue was great though, he had such a bright smile and laughed so easily, mostly at our mistakes. :)
Early in the evening Jules and I took off for Xiao Wei's place where he and his girlfriend Xiao Zhang had made us a wonderful 6 course Chinese dinner. The four of us had so much fun eating and talking and, soon after, playing more Mah Jiang! Then the next day, our last day together in Beijing, XW took us out to the Ming Tombs all tour guide style, giving us mini history lessons as we went. I'm so glad I have someone in Beijing that I can call a friend.
Now Julie is back in Washington State before heading off again in September to teach English in Russia, just like she's always wanted. Yay! And I am in Dalian with my mother. That blog will come in few days. Until then.... :)
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