Guess its update time. I had this all written up this morning and the internet burped so I somehow lost it, so hope this works this time.
Last time I updated I think I told you I had met Sha's Mother and daughter. Nice lady and very sweet daughter. (10) The mother did not say much. And a lot taller than most Chinese ladies. Sha told me later she used to play basketball at some time. I now know where Sha gets her height from.
Anyhoo, we had dinner. Also there were her friend the translater, and another close friend of hers. Of course, they gave me way more than I could eat. No way, can I keep up with a chinese lady when it comes to eating. So I had to leave some. Probably wasn't a good idea, but when I've had enough, that's it, got to stop. Also, unlike a lot of the brothers, my stomach is not cast iron. Some things just won't go down. So, anyway, dinner over, Sha took me back to the hotel. She drives by the way, and has her own car. She doesn't drive like most chinese, though, she goes slow. So slow I thought we would get run over. I know she would have gotten run over if in the states. Only saw her drive fast once, and that was when she thought we were going to be late for the train.
I had told you the first few days went really well. I mean laughs, meeting friends (they liked me by the way), holding hands, kisses, smiles, she was happy and believe me, I was very happy. But...then she picks me up for the train from Handan to Beijing. Different lady almost. Acted distracted, a little distant, more a stone faced chinese lady (if you know what I mean). We get to the train on time and head to Beijing. Pretty uneventful trip. We did hold hands on the train, but she covered it up with her coat. I just figured she was cold, because she was always cold.
We arrive in Beijing, taxi to hotel. Lobby looks great, rooms absolutely suck. In my mind anyway. Small room, no window, walls so thin you hear everything going on. If it hadn't been for her, I would not have stayed there. It's the Hua Fu Hotel, not sure what the street is. I know why she booked it though. Wasn't that expensive, maybe $45 a night. It is convenient to everything. Forbidden City very close, walking distance. Also Tieni mien Square 10 minutes away. And a long line of street food sellers that was very interesting. I'll post a pic of my favorite menu sign I saw, if I can get it on here. Also, every other kind of shop you could ever be looking for. Plus restaurants galore. So very good location if that is what you are looking for. Several other hotels in area also.And a tour company runs tours out of the hotel. That, I think, is the main reason she chose it. I was going to use Arnolds friend for a tour guide, but Sha thought it was way too much money. And compared to what she had booked it was. Yes, she had already booked the tour and didn't tell me about it. So, naturally, we took the one she booked. It took us to the Great Wall, and several other places, had lunch and didn't get back to hotel until about 5 or 6pm. A full day....the problem was about everywhere they stopped ended up more or less a souvenier shop. One place they even had us go into a room and a girl , then a man, came in with a big speech about whatever they were selling. I didn't understand a word of it and it probably lasted about 20 minutes. A few of us left and didn't even see what they were selling. But we had to wait for everyone else on bus to do the shopping thing. So very boring. Even Sha was disgusted by the time we were through. And a side note on the Great Wall. If you are not a very healthy person or have leg or knee problems, probably not a good idea. I made it to a certain point and then had to rest. Those are way high steps.
Well, that gets you up to a certain point. I'm tired now and my plane leaves tomorrow. So I need to sleep. Oh yea, it snowed most of the day in Beijing today. Oh joy, Oh joy. I had seen enough snow in Virginia this year to last me forever. But it just had to snow on my last day here.
Will update more when I get the chance.
Don
