Free Day in Beijing

Our Hotel

We all woke this morning not to the sound of bird's chirping but to horn's beeping! I'm convinced that they just like blowing their horns. The traffic here is a nightmare, I would never drive if I lived here; then you mix in the people who are walking, on bikes or mopeds and it's really chaotic.

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We made it down to breakfast for the buffet. I found it most interesting that the majority of food on the buffet seemed more lunch type items then breakfast. Lots of pasta, noodles, spring rolls, meatballs (Noah liked these) and the most appetizing pork intestine...Not! We were able to get fried eggs, toast and watermelon and Nicholas found cereal. So all in all, a good start to the day!

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After breakfast, we decided to be adventurous and take a walk around the hotel. I have to say that I loved being out and about. Where we are is such a mix of modern and traditional; there's a hustle and bustle and it just seems very alive. I also LOVE that I am only a few hours from Eva!!

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Imagine this...we found not one but two malls!! The first was very upscale, with BMW and Mini Cooper car dealerships. The second was a very traditional, stall type market. I scored a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses for $20, a necessary purchase since I left my pair at home.

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Back at the hotel, we met another couple here from Florida adopting their first child. She & I had emailed prior to leaving the states so it was nice to put a face to a name. After a rest, we went back out and this time found an open air market...very traditional! Noah did not like the smell, but I just loved being able to experience what life is truly like here.

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For dinner we found a KFC. Still not quite like we are accustomed to...the chicken sandwich had peas, corn and carrots cooked into the patty, but the fries with ketchup and ice cream were just like home!

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Noah quickly noticed at breakfast that we get quite a few looks. I think the people find us as fascinating as we find them. I have noticed that they like trying their English out on us with a "Hello". They seem to get as much a kick out of it as we do when we say "Ni Hao".

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So far the biggest negative is the smoking. There are No Smoking signs posted everywhere but no one seems to pay attention to them.

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Tomorrow we head out to Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and a Chinese Acrobats show.

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Thanks for following along!!

Upscale Shopping Mall

Very Fresh Seafood!!