22 posts tagged “beijing”

They're slanted. I can't wait until they're finished!

My sister thought the dirt market was a market for dirt. That's a fairly logical assumption, but it's actually one of the names for Beijing's flea market (in Chinese it's Panjiayuan), so called because sellers used to display their wares on the dirt floor. Over the years, it's become such a popular spot -- President Bush stopped by when he visited Beijing -- that it's now got concrete floors and some semblance of a roof. It's a shopaholic's dream, which probably explains why it's one of my favorite places in Beijing.

I bought two abacus today to hang in the hallway, and will build a collection from there. The circular one is especially unique -- it's for four people to use at once. A couple other cool things from the market: a massive pet cricket and cricket cages, Tibetan tigers (that's next on the shopping list!), amazing embroidery and really cool puppets. The pics are in the collection at the top left.

Show us what the weekend has in store for you.

Last weekend I got all the kitchen appliances: blender, food processor, toaster and convection oven. Ovens aren't standard in Chinese apartments, but I can't live without one so sacrificing the counter space is worth it. Now I'm mustering up the energy to hit Ikea for mixing bowls and the like. Let me tell you, you have to be a dedicated cook to brave Ikea. It's a favorite after

work and weekend hangout for locals. It's especially fun for those fresh from the countryside (some of whom have never seen a foreigner close up, which makes yours truly more interesting than whatever doodad they're holding and trying to guess what it's used for). The place is PACKED. ALL. THE. TIME.  Folks meander, ooh, ahh, fondle every item in the store, konk out on the sofas and rehash their life stories with old friends in the living room showrooms...and then leave empty-handed. Unfortunately, it's pretty much the best place to get western cooking utensils, so I will sharpen my elbows and fortify myself with an enormous cup of caffeine to prepare for pushing wading through the mass of humanity that is Ikea in Beijing.

Afterwards (if I survive), I'll put together this fun little thing I picked up at the MOMA, which will grace the coffee table.

Yes, I'm obsessed with the weather here. Deal.

The wind is blowing so hard the office windows are rattling, and the sky is about to split in two. Just in time for me to head out for a meeting.

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect hiking day. The brightness of my room at 6.15a.m. (yes, on a Saturday morning... I'm incapable of sleeping in. It's a curse.) said it was going to be a sunny and hot day. Rather than do the group hike this weekend, I arranged with three friends to rent a taxi for the day to take us outside the city, which gave us a lot more flexibility on where and when to go. The key to being able to do this is a new book

I got, "The Insider's Guide to Beijing: Excursion Guide" -- nothing like that was available when I lived in Beijing last time. It's now officially my Bible.

We negotiated RMB450 (about $50) for a taxi for the day. By noontime we had reached the mountains outside Beijing and picked a park to explore. Though crowded near the entrance, there weren't the throngs you find at the Great Wall, and this spot had the added bonus of lots of greenery, ponds and waterfalls -- it was lush

and (comparatively) cool. A godsend considering temperatures were pushing 100 degrees.

After two and a half hours up, we were rewarded with spectacular views. It felt all the more worthwhile when we arrived back in the sweltering, hazy city, tired and refreshed from the day outside.

Crazy to think I landed here only 30 days ago. They have been a blur of excitement, frustration, happiness and stress. With the occasional dash of homesickness for good measure.

In some ways it's like I never left. Beijing is still Beijing. I know the city and speak Chinese. Crossing the street is still a near-death experience... and in some warped way, that's comforting. This is one of the most exciting, fast-paced, challenging and interesting place to be right now. Sometimes it's such sensory overload that you just want to disappear, even just for a minute of peace. Especially if you try to do everything all at once. Not that I know anything about that.

It is exciting -- that's what makes you want to do everything. Beijing is abuzz with Olympics and opportunities. Half the people I know are entrepreneurs. An intrepid bunch, given the business climate here is so Wild West. It's changed so much and so little in the last few years. The good thing about Beijing is that the change is almost always for the better, and it's so complete that it's tangible. Very satisfying.

I've reconnected with old acquaintances, so it's not like starting over... thank god! I'm pounding the social pavement once again, but fortunately have been around this block enough times to know what to expect. Sadly, some of my best buddies just bid China farewell. I'll miss them, but it also means that I'll have to visit them in Paris and Tel Aviv. Could be worse.

Work is indeed kicking my ass, but in a good way. After all, they told me it would be hard. I wanted it to be hard.
It's been hard.

Guess I deserve it!

Never take them for granted. After weeks of smog and diffused light (and a day of torrential downpour), we finally have blue sky. And direct sunlight. And shadows.