Up at 9:30. Starbucks, have coffee and muffins for breakfast. Young American guy orders in Chinese to waitress. I tell him I am very impressed, but he says it wasn't that good. It is a clear, sunny, breezy day. Walk back to the hotel. Work on photos.
I meet J downstairs at about 11:30 and we take a taxi to Tiantan Park. The ride takes about 20 minutes. It is nice to be able to actually see more of the city. There are a few taller buildings, but nothing like Shanghai. The taxi takes us to 2nd Ring Road, which is an expressway that heads south, and then west, to near where we are going. The highway is very good, and traffic light.
When we get to the park it is lunchtime, so we find a restaurant. We have squirrel fish, broccoli, rice. Good! Squirrel refers to how the fish is prepared--it looks similar to a squirrel's tail as is lays there on the platter.
We then walk to the park. We get a thru ticket--admission to all of the parts of the park. Another very large park with many old structures, beautiful. Many photos. Finally exit at East Gate of park.
Walk to Hongqiao Market--large building/bazaar with many shops. Very interesting--lots of variety, lots of shoppers. Get another suitcase on wheels--90RMB (about $10.50). Taxi back to hotel. Rest.
Meet G at 6:00. Walk to nearby restaurant. G is friend from Detroit area now living in Beijing. Cantonese style food. Steamed fish, veggie combo plate, roast goose, chicken soup, rice, some kind of flower tea--several different flowers. Served dry, and then waiter comes with hot water kettle with very long (4ft or more) spout, pours water from spout to cup, never misses. Wanted to take photo but no camera. Back to hotel. G and her friend will drive to Great Wall tomorrow, I am invited. Yes! Rest, gargle, sleep.
Back Home
To Site Map/Table of Contents
Go to Beijing Page 5