I’m a bad tourist
We did what we were supposed to do and visited Tian’an men and the Forbidden City. It was 98 degrees in the sun. I won’t tell you about Tian’an men and the Forbidden City. You can look them up in wikipedia. Suffice to say that is was vey very hot, and there were many many tourists, along with plenty of water and ice cream vendors.
beijing growth
Beijing has grown in quite an organized manner. It was when I travelled the fourth ring road, about 10 miles out from the center of the city center, that I began to understand the scale of this city.
breakfast in beijing
Truth be told, I hate chinese breakfasts. Morning has me yearning for a cappuccino. China hasn’t caught on to coffee yet, and most local cafes only open late, at 10 or 11 am. That leaves only one option while I’m in Beijing. Starbucks.
beijing market day
Market day. I make a point of visiting a local market in every city I visit. Vibrant and down to earth, they provide a small snapshot into local life. My favorite in Beijing so far is the Panjiayuan weekend market, known for its arts, crafts and memorabilia.
beijing arrival
We arrived in Beijing twenty-four hours after we left Pittsburgh and twelve hours ahead of Pittsburgh time.
Tsinghua University, just north of Beijing’s core, is our home for the week. The campus is green, the supermarket is full of Chinese food and the spicy chicken and dumplings are delicious.
