Beijing was home away from home for 6 days, July 2-7, 1998. I felt quite at home because people mistook me for a Chinese person. I met several people on the streets who spoke to me in Chinese and even asked me for directions. Why, even the hotel staff greeted me in Chinese, and gave me the Chinese newspaper in my room! I even dared take the bus because I blended anyway!
Here are some pictures taken in the neighborhood where I stayed.
Home was Beijing International Hotel.
You go down an underpass to cross to the other side of the street.
The road where the underpass is leads to Tian'anmen, and the road
perpendicular to it leads to the Grand Central Railway Station.
Cofco Plaza, where McDonald's is, and Henderson Center, where Dragonair
is, right
across the street.
Sidewalk omelet vendor. I tried it, too. Hot, spicy
and delicious!
A musician in the underpass where I pass to cross to the other side
of the street. He plays very plaintive tunes on that musical instrument.
The Grand Central Station of the railway system. They x-ray luggage
to be brought
inside the trains, just like what they do at the airports.
The restaurant where I ate breakfast, and got take out dinners. See
the
man walking out its door.
Restaurant mirrors inside view.
Shy Chinese girl at the restaurant.
Instant friends in the restaurant. They helped me improve my pronunciation
and they expanded my Chinese vocabulary, too.
Breakfast still life. Congee, peanuts dish, mixed vegetables dish and salted egg.
A rainy Beijing viewed from the hotel revolving restaurant on the 28th floor.
Forbidden City (The Palace Museum) -- forbidden no more.
Remember the set of 'The Last Emperor'?
At the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, the only picture
I took was of this old man who borrowed my binoculars,
took a look, and excitedly offered it to the younger person
next to him.
The airport expressway, on the morning of my departure
flight.Very beautiful stretch of 18 kms. of wide roads with
lush greenery on both sides.
The welcome gate to Beijing.
Goodbye, Beijing!
Hello, Hongkong!
The gleaming new Hongkong International Airport named
Chek Lap Kok.
| << back to homepage | << Travelogue | << China of my dreams | >> Postcards from Shanghai |
This page created with Netscape Navigator Gold