Beijing mid January 2010
The temperature jumped to a comfortable level around freezing. It’s much more tolerable now that breathing is easy. When it’s way below freezing it hurts to breathe outside. My second container of goods left Beijing and is now heading towards central Texas. This process is much less smooth than I anticipated. I still have a third container of goods leaving in a week. In the meantime, I am familiarizing myself with Beijing life and making new friends too. Yesterday( Thursday) was wonderful. I met a local (Steven) who speaks English after my manicure and lunch with my new Canadian/ Beijing friend, Lucy. Last night, Matt, from NC who is living and working in China showed me a new Chinese restaurant. I am fascinated with the whole, “this is really great food,” line. How much better can it be than the other place? Really? It’s all the same stuff. It entertains me. The only real differences that are obvious to me are the prices. Meals range from $1-$2 all the way up to $15 per person. My favorite still is hot pot. I can’t get enough of the boiled food.
I also ran on the treadmill yesterday morning. That was necessary. I may do that again this afternoon. My energy level increases after a 32 minute run.
I visited with my Austin friend, Chris this week as well. I find that I really crave interaction with westerners. Yes, it’s quite lonely here. Yes, I get so much work done during the days without distraction. Yes, it’s well worth my time to be here.
