In Beijing, CHINA

Well, we've made the transition from hot to cold. Natalie and I are drinking in the weather here - temperatures in the 50s. How wonderful it is to need a sweater/coat! We do remember, however, that this is just a warm up for Mongolia (where, at last check, the temperatures were below freezing!)

Beijing is WONDERFUL! Somehow it feels more familiar than anywhere we've been in Southeast Asia. It is quiet, as far as cities go. The sounds of blaring music, honking horns and crowing roosters that we have grown so used to are absent and the street grid and buildings (minus the Chinese writing) could be anywhere in the US. People generally do not yell at us or run away. Though, there are very few people who know any English, so the Chinese flashcards that I had a friend make in Thailand are coming in very handy!

The architecture that is not grey block and reminiscent of the communist days is often very quaint with a Chinese twist. Everything is ornamental - even the toll booths and pedestrian overpasses are beautiful. Here are a few of our first glimpses of the city:

the toll booth on the road from the airport

the train station

on the sidewalks of Beijing

snacks anyone?

(they have moon pies and Mandarin orange chips ahoy!)

McChina