Well, this is my last email from Beijing. I hope you aren't disappointed although Lauren said you will be happy to stop receiving the 'spam'. The Chinese have an interesting and quite EFFECTIVE way of handling their utilities. Most of you will be staying in hotels, so this won't be an issue however if you are lucky enough to stay with a resident as I have, this is poignant information. You prepay for your electricity and water. You put money on your account in the office of the apartment complex. You buy a certain amount of electric and "hot" water, not [View Full Entry]

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Visiting a communist country, you expect to see a heavy dose of soldiers around. The army/police seem to be everywhere, in their green or blue uniforms, I understand the color and/or style of uniform signifies your rank. But yet, I am not intimidated. Could it be: because they don't have guns, just walkie talkie's, or because so many of the uniforms are finished off with well worn tennis shoes on their feet. Probably neither, I suspect it has to do more with the fact that not many of them look over the age of 13. They are so tiny and [View Full Entry]

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Today we are venturing to the Great Wall. Lauren tells me she will be bringing a backpack as well as me because we need to bring "quite a few things" and I know if you are anything like me, you also would have replied, "like what?" And this is her reply, "we need hand sanitizer, toilet paper, lunch, water and something to read on the bus". Does this tell you anything about the day I am about to have? Also, she took exception with the shirt I chose, a red knit polo shirt because it may be too hot, do [View Full Entry]

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Before I recap my latest adventures, let's focus a little on the accommodations. The bed is extremely comfortable, every room has its own wall A/C unit and Lauren has graciously allowed her menopausal mom's room to stay in the 72ish range, NICE. She doesn't make me sleep with the cat, another plus and she even made me instant coffee in the morning and brought it to me before she left for work. All of this is why I hesitate to mention the next couple of things. Being a good and considerate guest, I thought it most polite to not mention [View Full Entry]

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Here it is, I just successfully completed another day in Beijing but not without a few more helpful hints from my lovely daughter. 1. They spit here, be careful to dodge the spit. (not a word on how to determine when a spit is coming, though....she gets a C on this advice) 2. Watch where you are walking: a. they have open sewer holes and b. they do not pick up after their dogs or small children (that's right, small children do not wear diapers, just pants with a slit in the bottom) I cautiously walked to Laurens office and [View Full Entry]

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Well, I have had some observations in my short time here. 1. The painted stripes in the streets for lanes, are mere suggestions for the taxi drivers. 2. Drive with your window down so you can honk as well as yell at the same time. 3. The Chinese are obviously minimalist. The apartment doe not have a closet or extra cabinets other than the kitchen and no dressers. It's a drastic change from visiting Laurens apartment at college with the volumes of STUFF she had there to trying not to have more than you "need" here. Although in the true [View Full Entry]

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Well, so much for international travel, my ass is still sleeping!!! Flight was good and Lauren was at the airport when I arrived. We made it to the apartment then went to have pedicures and eat at a Persian Restaurant.... Aaron, the hummus was really good. The only reason I don't like international travel is because of the culture and language differences and being able to get by, so of course with Lauren here, that's not a problem NOT tomorrow she is putting me on a subway to some landmarks and I have to navigate myself then get back home. [View Full Entry]

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