Last day in Beijing

So in case you are wondering why we haven’t posted for a bit (I’m sure you all are checking everyday…hehe) , let me tell ya. The Chinese government doesn’t exactly like websites where you can freely state your opinion…So we haven’t been able to access the website or Facebook.

We liked the Beijing area with its history, food, interesting buildings, arts and some interesting folks. I want to put an exclamation point on the food. Cheap and wow tasty; we had fun trying new restaurants and dishes. However, I was rather repulsed by their love of spitting. And I mean everywhere. Not into the bushes, but on the sidewalk and we even saw a woman spit on the subway! It really sticks out because there isn’t really any garbage around, so other than the loogies on the ground, it’s rather clean. Ick. Just ick. Besides yelling obscenities in Mao’s tomb or slapping a guard at the Forbidden City, there is nothing more dangerous in Beijing than crossing the street. There is no such thing as “yielding to pedestrians;” cars constantly angrily honk at anyone/anything that gets in their way; and never before have I felt more like Frogger. Japan, Korea, and China all have fascinating histories and deep, rich cultures. I would say though, that from my experience, China is the most rough around the edges.

Our trip here was cold, but it was offset by fewer crowds and less smog. A good time to go I think. We had a good time, despite the fact that we got a little sick, and enjoyed learning about such a rich and influential culture, both historically and today. Now onto Thailand!