Hutongs are Tricky to Navigate!

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I forced myself to remain in bed until 7:00am this morning. (Still trying to adjust to the 15 hour time difference). Upon rising, I ventured outdoors and was immediately bullied into buying dumplings off the street. It was a fair breakfast and I snacked on these steaming balls as I began my explorations down the various snaking alley's of the hutong. I was surprised to see how empty the streets were, having steeled myself for the hectic crowds Beijing is so stereotyped for. The only thing I noticed was the intense stares I gathered from the general populace. All I could hope for was that I didn't have any vegetables stuck in my teeth. I found my way back to the hostel relatively easy, and was quite proud of my inner compass. A little later I struck out again from the hostel in the opposite direction, feeling certain that I would be able to find my way back again... an hour passed, and I felt certain that I would never find my way home again. Luckily I had no plans, and all the time in the world to wander, so I just kept breathing and continued walking. Finally I found a store I recognized and was able to direct myself back from there. Right before I entered the hostel I almost knocked this petite Chinese girl over. Instead of being mad at me, she ended up insisting on taking me out to lunch! We ate Schezuan food. One dish looked like cold, jellied spinach and its translated name is "pig's ear"! (She promised it wasn't actually an animal ear and truly was a vegetable dish!) I also won points with my chopstick skills. She was very impressed.
I learned her name was Lily, and she likes:
- Ace of Base, 50 Cent, Shania Twain
- to dance and sing
- to shop!
- she is learning guitar, but her nails are quite soft
- she is becoming an English teacher like me
After lunch, we continued to spend time with each other, and went to a famous district for antiques. So many beautiful things, and once I get an apartment, I will be back there for the art work. It was brilliant! After spending time there, we went to a tea shop and sat down to this formal/ceremonial tea tasting/party. It was so great. There are different cups to taste the tea with, and to smell it with. You roll the hot cups on your face and eyes to sooth you and drink the tea in three sips for good luck. I got to try 6 different types of tea, and they gave me a small box of my favorite as a gift. Later, we hopped on a bus and headed into the downtown to check out the bargain shopping to be had. I don't even know how to describe that shopping. A floor of piles of clothes, then a floor of shoes, and then a floor of accessories, all up for barter. It was psychotic. People yelling, pretending to be mad/offended, pushing, grabbing, etc. I laughed so hard. Lily was great at bartering. I'm not a great shopper at the best of times, so this atmosphere was a little much for me, but I was glad to witness the site. You can get amazing discounts, 1/10 of the posted price! I really must learn my numbers and return one day. After all this shopping and walking about, I was getting tired so we bused back to the hutong and agreed to meet again tomorrow morning to explore the Forbidden City. It's great having a Chinese friend!

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Comments

[sonja bristow]

I'll be the first to comment!
Wow! Lindsie! Only you would run into a new friend on the first day and have such amazing adventures! It is so much fun to read your blogs, I can hardly wait for the next one! Luv you! Mom