Some random thoughts...

(written Saturday, June 2, 2007)
Time just seems to fly these days as our days are quite full. We are finishing up our Chinese history classes - I have learned so much and most of it has been connected to the many sites we have visited. On a totally different note, I am happy to report that my voice returned once we got back to Beijing-go figure! I'm feeling quite fine these days. We have had wonderful weather. It was really pleasant in Xian for half of the time and really hot for a couple days. It has been unusually cool in Beijing the last few days with a little rain. We have only had one really wash out day of rain a couple weeks ago and that day we were out and about visiting tombs and we all got completely drenched - even with our umbrellas - it was quite a challenging day. Otherwise it has been warm with only a few really hot days. Fortunately, the two days we needed our best weather - for the Great Wall and another high site in Beijing, we have had our clearest best two days! The pollution has been remarkably absent; winds have kept the air pretty clear with a few exceptions. On the food front, I have pretty much mastered the art of chopsticks. I can count on one hand the number of times I have used a fork since coming here. I have also had a wide variety of Chinese food - really good Chinese food is amazing. I'm even getting used to a spinach (that's my closest guess) dumpling for breakfast everyday along with some brown noodles, spiced up with an occasional egg or fried bread. I'm thankful Starbucks is close by, an 8-10 minute walk counting the challenge of crossing the crazy streets here. Starbucks has free wireless so I go every other day or so and then get some real coffee; something that is not easy to find in a country of tea! Speaking of the traffic, I must say a few things about the traffic here. I used to think that Manila, Philippines was the worse traffic situation I had ever experienced. I still think that is true, but Beijing comes really close. No one pays attention to the signs; cars, buses, bikes (there are thousands of them here!) all keep moving even if there is a red light. It's kind of a survival of the fittest! Even when the green walk light comes on to cross a street, you still have to expect bikes, taxis, etc. to be coming so you always have to look. And when you are in a taxi, it's just best not to look at all. I can't imagine how all the visitors for the Olympics will manage when they are here. There is already so much traffic; I can't fathom how the city can handle an influx of people for the games. Fortunately most of the Olympic venues are out away from the center of the city. We have driven past the Olympic construction sites and they have a way to go - but I guess Greece finished at the last minute. The other thing that is difficult to get used to is all the smoking. So many people smoke - and it is really annoying. Even today, someone was smoking in the hotel elevator; it's just crazy! There has been a lot of talk - on the one English TV station and in the China Daily, the English newspaper we get everyday - about the smoking issue. They are encouraging the idea of having a smoke-free Beijing in time for the Olympics, but that would be the biggest challenge of the games themselves! Well, I think I'll stop now with all the little random thoughts that I haven't addressed up to now.