A Walled City

Well, we are both feeling better. . . yes, that's right both of us. We seem to do everything together on this trip so, I guess that means getting sick too! Ryan got the flu the day after I had fully recovered so we were down and out for a few days but we've turned it around and are doing much better (thanks for all the emails!). No more "American Choppers" for me (ok that was a weak moment!) I've actually become more of a News junkie. Yes that's right!(I can hear my sisters giggling now!) with CNN and BBC, as 2 of the 5 English Channels we have, we watch a lot of news. [insert Ryan's comment: we also have ESPN! But how disheartening to find out that it was ESPN ASIA which features soccer, and only soccer, 24 hours a day].

Exploring Beijing, we've notice more and more that there is constant construction. The street blocks in Beijing are about twice or maybe three times as wide as those in San Francisco. There is no such thing as, "just a few blocks walk", every block is about 1/2 a mile in length. I feel that we have comfortably mastered the Beijing Subway and enjoy using it, especially around rush hour, when going 1.5 miles can take about 45 minutes in a car, i.e., one day we took a long walk around the Back Lakes of the Forbidden City and then decided to take a taxi home, the taxi was $3 but it took 45 minutes because the traffic was so bad.

We have both been reading books about China. I am reading "China Wakes" and Ryan is reading "The Writing on the Wall", which allows us to learn more about China's past and it's future potential. These books have also helped opened our eyes to see things differently. For instance, when we're in the taxi on our way to any destination we see these huge walls on the roadside. It's almost as if they don't want you to see what is behind it. Every now and then, we catch a glimpse and it's an old run down neighborhood. We read that often times instead of fixing the problem, they put a wall or just paint over it. Unfortunately, we feel that this makes it difficult to SEE so much of the authentic Beijing neighborhoods and it's difficult to find your destination. We see Western companies, hotels, and buildings and then right next door you see an ancient ruin or the Forbidden City. . . it's an amazing juxtaposition of architecture and history.

Today, we had our second Mandarin language class with our teacher "Jade". She is very kind and is a great teacher. Our friend, Cecelia who works at the Peninsula Hotel referred her to us, she teaches many of their guests. She comes over to our apartment for 1 hour sessions. We did 2 this week and we'll probably do at least 2 more next week. I can count to 10!!! Genius, however, has had more Mandarin and has a fantastic ear for the four tones. He is very good and loves to learn more. .. we are having fun with the language classes. Ryan take every opportunity to practice, including trying to talk to every taxi driver, I enjoy sitting in the back seat and just listening to the communication!

Tomorrow we are off on a day tour to see the Great Wall. . . together!