BEIJING OLYMPIC PARK & YASHOW MARKET

What did YOU do today?  October 12, 2011 - Beijing

What a day!  After a breakfast of Chinese vegetables, steamed buns, and leftovers from last night's supper, Ron, Joyce, Bryant and I set out on foot to ride the subway to Olympic Park.  Though the subway station wasn't too far, once we got down into the system we did a lot of walking and had to transfer from one line to another twice.  Once at the Olympic Sports Center we got into the Bird's Nest and were overwhelmed by the size and design/construction of the huge building.  Not content with just a look-see, we opted to take a ride on the SEGWAYs they had for rent there.  What FUN!  We'd seen them on TV, and they looked a little unstable, but once our 'coach' had given us some  instruction we got the idea and rode around the Olympic track three times.  Then it was on to the Water Cube, which doesn't look like much from the outside, but is so light and airy on the inside. Within the last year they have added a water park, complete with wave pool, and everyone there seemed to be having a great time.  Again the design is pretty amazing.


Then it was on to the Yashow Market, in Sanlitun area, where Ron bargained hard for a nylon jacket and pants, and attracted quite a lot of attention during the process!  The market is a good one, offering most everything the Silk Market does, but with less aggressive vendors.  We ate dinner at Morel's Belgian restaurant, one of our favourites when we were working in China.

Martha and Bryant with Mickey at Olympic Park

Ron and Joyce in front of the Bird's Nest - in the smog

Ron surveying the track

Olympic Water Cube, Beijing

Bargaining at Yashow Market

Kids at heart, riding Segways in Bird's Nest Stadium

BEIJING and SILK MARKET, 1st visit

Tuesday pm, Oct. 11 - Beijing

First, take a look at Ron and Joyce arriving at Terminal 3 after their long flight - looking pretty chipper I'd say!

This morning after a leisurely Chinese breakfast of mini spring rolls, vegetables, and some  chicken,

we headed out to check out the area around our hotel.  We walked for about 25 minutes to the Silk Market where we visited with our vendor friend, Jimmy, whom we first met in 2002.  He is now about 27 and a husband and father, and a businessman extraordinaire.  We were able to find out today's average prices for goods at the market, where business has slowed since the Olympics in 2008.  Slow business is not good for the vendors, of course, but it is good for bargaining!  Joyce and Martha did some bargaining and found some things to buy.  They are BOTH now qualified to help others shop if necessary!  After an afternoon rest, Joyce and Ron  went to eat supper, and we went to see our agent, Yelin, to firm up plans for the tour, attend to details, and make a minor change or two.  Yelin took us out to dinner at a fine restaurant, and now we are back "home" to get a good night's sleep, we hope!

Tomorrow we are hoping to visit the Olympic Park in the morning.

A DAY IN TUANLI - Monday Oct. 10, 2011

School Friends

Martha and Li in the library

With Guo at the Tuanli Free Market

The JianBing Lady!

With LiAnne at School

We had a fabulous day today, thanks to our friend Will (one of our students 4 years ago here), who drove us from the city out to school.  Construction in our little village where the school is is terrible, only dirt roads that lead nowhere!  But Will got us there over bumps and ruts, and we were welcomed very warmly by all our old friends in the village and at school.  

First stop was at the village market to see GUO, our favourite fruit seller, where we picked up bananas and oranges, then to the gate where we saw some familiar faces, so no trouble getting in.  Before we went in though, we had to have a JIAN BING, or Chinese pancake. Once on campus the hugs and handshakes began, and lasted through lunch time and throughout the day.  It was so great to see everyone, and we were surprised at how many of the Chinese staff were still there, as change is so commonplace here.  Only two familiar faces on the Canadian staff, but it was great to see them too, and catch up on the past 4 years.  Will also had a good chance to connect with some of his teachers.  Had lunch in the Western cafeteria thanks to Bryant's colleague from 2007.  The girls who were the support staff at the library and the Canadian office made sure we had tea and water to drink, and a place to use as a temporary base for the day.

When we left, Will fought the Beijing traffic with great skill, and treated us to a delicious supper of dumplings, mushroom dishes, and some spicy stuff, as will as sweet and sour soup.  We bid him farewell around 9 and about 10 caught a cab (we were nervous about taking the new subway route, so took the easy way out) to the airport.  Benson's plane was early, so we were glad we'd taken the cab.  They were all smiles despite their long, long day from Panama City, Panama, via the US to Beijing.  

Hope to have more tomorrow, but we have a couple of tech problems that we have to solve today.

M and B

BEIJING: It's a Small World After All

We are not letting any grass grow under our feet tonight.  Went out to look for something to eat, even though we weren't very hungry after 3 meals on the plane.  Stopped to see Yelin, just to say hi, and she helped Bryant get a SIM card for his phone.  It was a typical Beijing community event - the girl who sold him the card runs a small variety store, and knows Yelin, so she proceeded to install the card, but had some trouble.  Everyone who walked by had to stop to see what the laowai (foreigners) were doing, and some gave unsolicited advice.  Finally got it going and it works!  Then to a familiar restaurant owned by a guy who used to live in Saint John, but on the way a woman jumped out of a bus loaded with westerners, and as it turns out, she taught with us in 02-04, and is back teaching again.  Then into the restaurant, where we were recognized by  teachers from Miramichi, and the waitress recognized us.  Counting our friend the taxi driver who met us at the airport, that's 6 familiar faces in under 5 hours.  Who said Beijing isn't a small world?

More tomorrow.  

ARRIVAL IN BEIJING

We're here!  Arrived exactly on time, and all went according to plan at Terminal 3.  Lots of folks in line at immigration, but it only took us about 15 min. to get through.  Then we got on the little train to T3-C which took about 3 minutes..  Don't try to take photos in the immigration line-up!  The baggage claim took another 15 min, then we met our friend Mr. Li just after customs, and he drove us to the Jingduyuan Hotel.  Today is definitely NOT a blue sky day.  

On our way to find something to eat, then will hit the hay..

M and B

Just one more sleep! (for us)

Yup, just one  more sleep for Bryant and me before we fly away to Beijing tomorrow morning.  Our group has 5 more sleeps, and I'd guess they're packing up a storm, making decisions of what to take and what to leave behind.  I'm pretty proud of the small amount of luggage we have.  Pictured is mine, and Bryant's is even less!

It's supposed to be rainy in Beijing for the next few days, but the forecast calls for sun once the group arrives.  We'll let you know what's happening as soon as we get on the ground......

Less than two weeks from today we'll be in Beijing!  Our trip with island friends officially begins Oct. 13, but we'll be there a bit early to touch base with some Chinese friends.

Our trip will take us from Beijing to Suzhou/Shanghai, Chengdu, Lijiang, Guilin, and back to Beijing, returning home late in October.  If you wish to follow our adventures, check in at the blog address above.  We'll try to keep our posts as current as technology and energy levels allow!

Martha and Bryant