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Other entries in Peking

Hummers in a Hutong

In a few hours I'll be on a night train to Xi'an so this is my wrap on Beijing. Today, I decided to head out to the Olympic Park to check out a couple of the more interesting buildings: The National Stadium (aka The Bird Nest) and The Aquatic Center. Unlike most everything else so far, this was a disappointing endeavor. It seems that the entire area which is like the size of the parking lot of Angel Stadium is closed off for security reasons, I would think. I could hear the rehearsal going on inside the place for the opening ceremonies, I would imagine. I had planned a photographic tour-de-force of these very cool buildings. Still, the fact that you couldn't get anywhere near them didn't deter the thousands (no joke) of folks who were thrilled just to pose in front of the fence that kept them at a laughable distance. So, I decided to take pictures of them taking pictures of themselves in front of the buildings. What really struck me was the palpable sense of pride that these folks had in their city and/or country. Believe me, I was one of maybe six people out there that had green eyes amidst the throng of humanity. They couldn't have been happier.  

After that, went to a part of town that is dedicated to art galleries. It really is impressive that not only this exists, but that it is thriving. And to see art (not exactly the driving force for the like-minded thinking necessary in this kind of government) on display is so wonderful. I admit that much of it, I really didn't much care about but the principle is encouraging, to say the least. This was just another example of the contradiction that is Beijing. I'll reserve comment on China in general until I have seen more of it, but this much I know: Beijing is very much like any large, capitalistic city in the Western world. And in some ways, much more so. I saw two Hummers yesterday. 'Nuff said.

Yesterday it actually rained for a good while and I was caught in it unprepared. This might explain the sinus issues I woke up with today but I'm feeling better. In the morning I went to a park where I watched elderly Beijingers practicing their character writing on the ground. One gentleman went out of his way to draw the Olympic motto just for me. It was pretty sweet. Walked around like a madman after and found a great restaurant for lunch where I had a Mango chicken dish that rocked my world.

Last night I went to the largest mall in China. I just had to chek it out. Let's just say that it is right up there with South Coast Plaza as far as the shops and clientele. But what blew me away were the food options. The top level had the finer restaurants. The basement had the food court and the fast food options. The food court, however, was some incredible dining. When we think food court in the USA, nausea quite possibly sets in...Hot Dog on a Stick, anyone? In Asia, it is other-wordly. The curry beef broth w/ udon noodles for $4 was incredible.

Rode the metro to get out there and like all the other metros I've been on in Asia, it was stellar. I could go on and on but I need to get going because I think I'm wearing out my "free internet for cutomers" at the bar as I nurse this beer for as long as I can.

The first five nights of this oddysey have been great and frankly, much easier than I could've imagined given all the factors that one has to weigh when one hits the road, so to speak. Next up, Xi'an. Stay tuned...

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