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Published: August 2nd 2014
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Introduction: This blog recounts a two and half week trip to China with my daughter, Kate and my granddaughter Lizzie in July of 2014. Lizzie was born in China, Anhui provenance in March of 2000. She was adopted in March of 2001. While it is very interesting to see the changes in China over 13 years, the real treat for me was getting to know Lizzie as a person and not just as my granddaughter. I would also like to thank Cathy Olson for cleaning up the blog with correct grammar and filling in the words in my mind but not on the page. Also thanks to Sam Hanson for his technical help. Jim Collins 7/14
It was a long flight but well worth it. My granddaughter Lizzie is so excited about experiencing China. I believe Lizzie is very proud of her Chinese heritage and will acquire a deeper, more personal understanding of China, its beauty, its culture and people. Kate, my daughter, has done an excellent job of planning the trip. She carefully considers the big picture and is meticulous in planning the details. I have not participated in the planning. Having two planners is like having
two bosses; sooner or later, something is going to blow up.
When we arrived in Beijing, we changed a little money and met the driver who took us to our hotel. Kate could not have selected a better hotel than the Xiao Yuan Hotel on Lishi Lane. During the 12 hour flight, I slept off and on and then got about an hour of solid sleep. When we checked in to the hotel, I read for a bit and then had a sound sleep of six hours. After breakfast we walked to the “Forbidden City”. Kate and Lizzie are fast walkers and had to tolerate my rest breaks. After we got to the “Forbidden City” I told them I was going to walk back the hotel and meet them later. I think I walked from about 8 AM to 12:30, but if you take out the breaks it was probably only 3 hours of walking. I really need to get in shape and no, round is not the shape I have in mind.
I thought I would focus on some of my first impressions of Beijing since it has been 13 years since I
have been here.
· I have no clue to what happened to the traffic. 13 years ago it was so congested. Now, it seems like they have half the traffic and wonderful bike & motorbike lanes. What a change.
About 90% of the motor bikes are electric.
· The Chinese have learned how to drive and generally obey the traffic signals. In 2001, China had 7% of the worlds’ drivers and 37% of the fatal accidents. They are still a bit pushy behind the wheel but hardly anyone drives on the sidewalk.
· The smog is not bad as it was 13 years ago, or at least it was not this morning. A few people were wearing masks, but very few, and the air was clear.
· 13 years ago, at the “Forbidden City” and Tiananmen Square there were very few people. Now, the crowds are huge. A big part of this could be the time of year with school on summer vacation. In 2001, we were here in March. It was a lot cooler and no crowds at the Square or the Forbidden City.
· Generally, the litter is gone. 13 years ago
there was litter everywhere.
· Fewer people are smoking, thank goodness. In 2001 you would get on an elevator and you could possibly be the only person not smoking.
· There are now dogs in China, in fact, a lot of them. We did not see any pet dogs in 2001.
· The Chinese all use credit cards. In 2001 it was strictly a cash society. Our credit cards do not work. Maybe it is the credit card chip.
I am back at the hotel taking a shower and a rest. You can only expect so much out of an old guy and I will do my best to lower your expectations.
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