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| Off to Beijing | |
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| Topic Started: Oct 16 2013, 03:37 PM (1,082 Views) | |
| blizzard | Oct 23 2013, 06:02 AM Post #16 |
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Gold Star Member
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Wide awake at midnight in Beijing. Unfortunately it is not really safe to go exploring at this hour with the railway across the way. My daughter was helping me map out the express and subway to the hotel on Sunday, when she said across from the railway I said I will just take a taxi. I try not to go to that rail station on my own. The driver I had was so concerned I was cold, this is an ongoing worry in China once October arrives. I happily informed him that the plan had been "tai leng" then realized that meant too cold, explained his confused look. He finally must have decided it was his duty to keep this foreign healthy because he dug out an orange and offered it to me. Of course I declined and of course he insisted, even so far as to demonstrate peeling one. I gratefully peeled the orange, offered him a section and ate the rest. Happy to say it was a Mandarin as I rather detest most oranges. It was good, the driver was happy, and pleased when I could tell him in Mandarin. My room is alright. Definitely in need of upgrading. The hotel is huge, 400 rooms. I do like the fact I could do a little dance without hitting any furniture despite the king size, hard, bed. My mobile for here is working, in the morning I will head for the subway and possibly to my old school. Still undecided about going up Xiang Shan for the red leaf festival. October is the month retired people crowd the bus early in the morning to head out for freshen mountain air. Very healthy stock. At least I have a pretty good idea as to where I am and what to avoid in the way of tourist traps! |
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| FuzzyO | Oct 23 2013, 08:15 AM Post #17 |
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Glad to hear you arrived safely! Why is the railway station to be avoided?
Edited by FuzzyO, Oct 23 2013, 08:15 AM.
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| blizzard | Oct 23 2013, 09:42 AM Post #18 |
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Gold Star Member
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There are three stations in Beijing, the one near the hotel is close to the centre so very accessible to anyone. Unfortunately I this includes individuals, and groups, who prey on passengers etc as robbery targets. The area is usually teeming with people coming and going. I believe it remains the busiest station here. Being aware of who is around helps. |
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| blizzard | Oct 23 2013, 10:36 PM Post #19 |
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Gold Star Member
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One reason to stay clear of Beijing is the crowds. I decided to do one stop in the morning, big mistake; not ever having had to catch subway to work when I lived here I had not encountered morning rush hour. Extremely frightening. Not for the faint of heart of disposition to come out swinging. I now know how sardines are packed - with a mighty shove then sucked into the can. The subway is like the can, once in there is no longer individual space, you become a massive, undulating single entity until the doors open and the suction rips out part of these mass before replacing it with more. It might not have been so dreadful if I had realized taking the train going the other direction would have been faster. I did make it all my limbs and bags intact, hopped on a bus and headed in the direction of the hills the emperor and his entourage would visit during the heat of summer. Not being royalty, and heading elsewhere, I got off before the actual mountain trail and gondola. I might still make it before leaving next week. One reason my heartstrings were pulled - seeing some of the children from my class last year. It is nice to be remembered by such young children after being away for six months. Tomorrow going in the other direction then hoping to just have some fun for the remainder of my visit. My plan is to hop on a bus to the new Summer Palace. |
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| blizzard | Oct 25 2013, 07:47 PM Post #20 |
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Gold Star Member
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I am exhausted! Summer Palace today. Manager to see most of the buildings but forgot the Longevity Hall because I headed to the back first. By the time I came back around I though my longevity would refuse to come about. Beautiful day for going. Rather sad so much has to be under lock and key. The expected number of visitors was 28000 For today! I can believe it. Lack of respect for nature, relics and buildings is common in China - tour groups absolutely the bane of anyone hoping to maintain the site. All that space for the emperor and his entourage. Such a shame much of it was burned down, much was lost. I hope to write more in my blog when my fingers and brain are connecting. Hoping I can retain some of my thoughts. Tomorrow might finally go to Mao's mausoleum - I have passed it many times when in the area but never had a need to go in. Having dinner with friends tonight, going in search of street food tomorrow - the real stuff, nit where tourists tend to visit. |
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| Durgan | Oct 26 2013, 09:30 AM Post #21 |
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Veteran Member
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I walked around Tiananmen Square for four days. 2093/2094. I stayed in the Great Wall Sheridan Hotel. The buildings in the Forbidden City are mostly empty, since Chiang Kai-shek stole all the artefacts and removed them to Taiwan, when he got thrown out by Mao in 1949\50. I'm surprised China hasn't got them back by now to restock the Forbidden City. Are the Chinese still honking and spitting on the side-walks or did the Olympics suppress this issue? This spitting contributes to much of the pulmonary diseases present. |
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| blizzard | Oct 26 2013, 10:26 AM Post #22 |
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Gold Star Member
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It is doubtful the Taiwanese powers will return anything considering the implications behind such an act. many artifacts were lost in such a short space of time considering the long history of China. With a stronger economy it appears the very high interest in places and things may be what destroys, alters or mars what is still in place. I doubt I will go to the Forbidden again, have been three times over the years. Honking, driving like madmen - and women these days, make crossing the street a daily leap leap of faith. I find that the rings of Beijing play an interesting role in shaping how people behave. Except there is not exactly a definite societal division, rather more along the lines of pockets of wealthier, better educated populations set in the fabric of the overall society. So spitting seems to now be somewhat reserved for the 'workers', people over the age of 50+ or groups from 'the countryside' or outsiders. Of course it remains noticeable just by the sheer numbers of people. Thank goodness it does not seem to be a problem on the subways. Just the sheer numbers of people gives one pause for concern. I expect my potential lifespan has no doubt been compromised, but one must live with gusto, not fear of what might be. |
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| blizzard | Oct 31 2013, 12:03 AM Post #23 |
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Gold Star Member
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Fantastic flight back - now cuddled up with my cat and wide awake, of course. I was ready to come home but did fit a lot into my week. Definitely ready to bid a farewell to working and living in China but will visit again. If anyone heard on the news about the incident at Tiannamen Square on Monday I had seriously considered going there - decided to deal with the thieving housing agency instead which took over three hours. Still have not received my deposit but missed the closure of the Square and the subway line along the way back to my hotel. Summer Palace was wonderful, needs two trips or very strong legs to fit it all in. Panjiayuan must be the largest flea market ever - I managed to not spend anything! Silk Market is not worth going to in my opinion - unless one wants to be constantly asked, "Lady, you want to buy (insert article of clothing/bag/toys etc.)". Biggest no-no in such places is for the vendor to touch people. I flashed my 'don't you dare touch me' a couple of times. No need for Chinese language skills as they got the message. I just do not appreciate being pawed and they are not supposed to touch, grab or paw customers. I did buy a large backpack that can be wheeled - always fun to bargain people down, especially when they are blindly thinking I am just another silly tourist then I speak Mandarin to them. I usually try to avoid such gigantic knock off places and cannot understand why anyone in a tour would want to bother. There were several. Some great food, always good to have someone with you willing to explore and to eat nearly anywhere - I was with a friend. Visited my former school as well as the two other schools with the same company. Collected my daughter's eight boxes, no mean feat trying to get a taxi back to the hotel but I did it. Weather was good the whole time except for some smog on Monday. All in all a good trip. |
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| Darcie | Oct 31 2013, 09:39 AM Post #24 |
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Skeptic
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How long was your flight blizzard? Sounds like a fun time. |
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| blizzard | Nov 1 2013, 01:14 PM Post #25 |
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Gold Star Member
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The flight was under twelve hours. |
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| FuzzyO | Nov 1 2013, 01:52 PM Post #26 |
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Seems like a whirlwind trip! |
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| blizzard | Nov 2 2013, 07:23 AM Post #27 |
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Gold Star Member
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Indeed it was. I have a ticket for going to Beijing that is good until the end of March 2014 as well as a double entry visa that expires in April so one more trip is in the works. I expect it will be around Spring Festival and for perhaps a month as that is the length my visa allows. However, I can always extend it without leaving the country. The trip will be solely for fun. |
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