We are writing this post over a pot of oolong tea in the Bridge Cafe, a second-story haunt of China's brightest students and internationals. After a fairly painless flight of 13 hours and 25 minutes we have been soaking in the sights and sounds of one of China's biggest metropolises. This post is a brief reflection on our first experiences.
RAY: We are currently staying with our friend Ray in a warm, purple room on the sixth floor of XiWangZhuang neighborhood. Ray graduated from Wash U in May and is currently a Fulbright fellow studying the impact of high-efficiency stoves on health and the environment in rural China. He is intelligent, accommodating, and is introducing us to the Beijing environmental and music scenes. (Hoooray for Ray!)
FOOD: So far our expectations have been exceeded! There is a variety of inexpensive and delicious food. Our favorite activity: trying whatever street food we come across:) Some things that top the list include the 45cent jianbing, a crepe with egg, onion, leek, tangy and hot sauce folded together and ready in less than a minute, we also like sweet potato chips, and the comedy value of the sweet potato vending machine at the grocery store.
GOING PLACES: We have been pleasantly surprised that Beijing is much less polluted and crowded than we had anticipated. On the street there are many people walking, many riding bikes, many riding buses, and some in cars. Public transportation is phenomenal. For 20 cents we can ride the incredibly smooth subway anywhere in the city... a bus is even less.
The best part? Be prepared to hear many stories about Oliver and Kristyna riding bicycles around Beijing! Yes, today after visiting twelve bike shops in search of a frame loarge enough for Oli and haggling over prices we purchase two bikes, a pair of locks, two baskets, and bells for about 30 USD. We gots bikes!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment