The folks in our travel group seem nice, although it's a little like going to summer camp: hanging out with a bunch of people you don't really know, but everyone is here for the same purpose. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone better over the next 2 weeks. As my mom always told me, there are no strangers after the first night. Mark and I were excited to learn that we will be with another AWAA family in Nanchang, and I think both our girls are from the same SWI. They are not here for the Beijing part of the trip, so we will meet them on Monday or Tuesday when we get there.
Beijing is still all spruced up for the Games and I am totally into the people-watching. This evening, we walked a few blocks to the local "Jian-Mart" and bought lots of bottled water and some snacks. I bought some authentic (I hope!) moon-cakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is Monday. It is also called the Moon Festival, so moon-cakes are a favorite holiday treat. Mark thinks they look a little scary, but I have a feeling they will taste MUCH better than the fried scorpions in the market he says he would be willing to "try." For dinner, we split a meal from the hotel's "fast-food" restaurant. It was beef with mushrooms in a gralicky brown sauce, a pickled egg, some kind of sauteed green veggie, and what I think were spicy bamboo shoots. I got the impression from our guide, Rosa, that it is the Chinese equivalent of Taco Bell, but it was delicious! Much fresher and lighter than Americanized Chinese food. I was not brave enough to try the grilled eel, but maybe another time...
Our hotel is nice, very Western in style with lots of Asian decor touches. I love the sparkly green-- almost glittery-- bathroom vanity. Maggie and Emily would be totally into it, since it is so very sparkly and "pocketty." The staff here are so helpful. When I had trouble getting an Internet connection in my room, they sent someone up immediately to help. I am still not sure what we did to make it work, but it does and I am glad! Plus, we left our stupid adaptor plug at home. The front desk sent one up for us to borrow. Thank goodness. Also, there is a Starbucks here at our hotel. Hallelujah!! I'm all about trying the local specialites, but it's nice to know I can get a mocha when I need one. At least until we leave for Nanchang on Monday.
Well, it's 9:30 PM here and it's time to call it a night. Others who have traveled before us were not kidding about the hard beds. When you sit on it, it thuds-- there is no bounce at all to the mattress. One of the guys in our travel group said his bunk on a Navy cruiser was more comfy. Whoa. I am tired enough that I think it will not matter, somehow. Good night from China!
7 comments:
So glad you made it safe and sound and enjoyed your first meal! I may be trying Tylenol PM next month on our flight there...
How exciting that you will be in province with another family! You will most likely be amazed at the ease at which you become friends. Enjoy your time sight-seeing in Beijing and I sure look forward to reading more!
Kristi
It's so great to hear y'all made it safely. And have fun eating those Moon Cakes. What kind did you get? Sometimes those can be... umm.. an adventure.
Can't wait to follow your journey. I am SO excited for y'all.
Yeah for a safe trip!! I am glad you are making new friends as well...you do have an amazing common purpose with them. There are no friends after Monday, er, Friday night so enjoy it. Can't wait to hear more and see lots of pictures. It is a bit hard to believe that my sister is half way around the world!!! Lots of love and talk to you soon!!!
I'm glad to hear you have arrived in China safe and sound! I am so excited for you to meet, hold, cry over, snuggle, smell, kiss, cuddle, love over etc. your baby girl. Hugs and much love from EU!
~Bill and Rachel
mmmm
Scorpions!
David
Glad you are there safely! It sounds like you are settling in, at least until Monday. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures tomorrow (today really for you)
Emily
Yay, you're there! Have fun sight-seeing.
Leslie
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