19-NOV-2006
We spent a few days in Beijing with Barb's friend, Susan, and her fine family. We did not do the typical tourist visit as we had visted Beijing a few years ago. Instead, we got to experience a bit of the family's expat lifestyle and do some things we would never have done as standard tourists.
This photo shows the flea market we cycled to from Susan's house.
19-NOV-2006
Bargaining is the order of the day for many things in China, not just at a market. Ideally, one should have a good idea of appropriate prices before beginning the bargaining process. As newcomers, we were clueless, but Susan and family have learned the ropes.
19-NOV-2006
Many items are available in the market...
19-NOV-2006
There's also a colourful kite market on the site.
20-NOV-2006
This photo was taken at another place where we purchased a figure for the garden, a lamp base and, of course, a gong for future supper hours. The items in the photo were really like that when we arrived -- really.
20-NOV-2006
We went to a vegetarian restaurant where the presentation counts as much as the food.
20-NOV-2006
Okay, so the dry ice was a bit much.
21-NOV-2006
We did visit one place that we didn't have time for on our first Beijing trip. This photo, showing a pavillion at the "Old Summer Palace", was taken at 4:00 in the afternoon. The air in Beijing has a terrible reputation and we were told it was particularly bad that day. The image of Beijing and China is of particular concern as the Olympics approach.
21-NOV-2006
This is the Olympic Stadium under construction. Taken at mid-afternoon, we brightened the image using Photo Shop so that the imaginative architecture would be more visible. We are confident that the impressive Olympic sites will be quite visible to the world in 2008, even if the city needs to be shut down to achieve it.