Tianjin Golden Crown Tower

... and had some coffee to warm up. The coffee was served cold, but the beer was OK and we played some cards for a while.<br><br>Originally, I had wanted to spend a whole weekend here, seeing what there was to see, but after just a Saturday here we decided there was nothing left and headed back. There would be more to do in the city the next day. At least now I can say I've been there, but really not much to go back to and I'd hate to live there.<br>

... between the last and current posts I have had plenty of travels within the city and taken many pictures, I'll add only a few here of the area of the city close to the river.<br><br>With the passing of time, the gilding wears off and the truth of things come forth, but, as I've said before, I feel this city is close to me and I am connected to it - at least as much as ...

... Past security and giggling boys. Along the side of a highway. Through a construction site. I hover for about five minutes to see if anyone minds. The red notebook is indeed magical, they must think me a foreign foreman. Or just not care. Try here, try there, no passage, no ocean. Well, I found the salt flats. Darn close but no cigar. Back to the train. Pause for an apple. Bum a light. It'll cost 2 yuan to try the last stop, also ...

... end included a new feature called the Zhiyuan pagoda, from the top of which yielded some wonderful panoramic views of the city.<br><br>After a visit to the reptile zoo, a round of go-karts and a coffee (instant), we took the bus back to her apartment then grabbed our many things and took the bus back to Jinghai to prepare for Friday work the next day. And no, no day came sooner than Friday. <br>

October 1 I had the day off for the Celebration of Chinese National Day. It was the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. I used this time to explore more of Tianjin. I did a lot of walking and sweating but it was worth it. Enjoy the Photos.<br><br>Blake<br>

National Day in China is celebrated on October 1st, and this year is a big one since it's the 60th anniversary of the PRC. Added with that, the fall festival fell close enough to national day this year that I ended up with 8 days off. 'Course, I had to work the Sunday before and the Saturday after ...

Pics from Culture Street and Dinner at a Hot Pot Restaurant.<br><br>HUO GUO mean "fire pot"-- The concept is easy you put seasoned water in a pot and boil it in the center of the table. Everyone around the table cooks food in it and eats. Kinda like a Fondue.<br><br>Our dinner was shrimp, beef, lamb, mushrooms, cabbage, octopus, squid, and noodles. To make the ...

I went to dinner at a pretty nice seafood restaurant. I picked the food from aquariums on the main floor of the place and they cook it and bring it to your table which is upstairs. I went with a JV (joint venture) Team member and the Mexican team.<br><br>We had Chicken, Pork, Green beans, 2 kinds of shrimp, fish, and a crab. It only came to about 10 US dollars per person.<br><br>Enjoy thee Pics,<br>Blake<br>

... video. Odd, very odd! Tianjin is a funny place. It's close to the sea, so had a lot of foreign influences. Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Russia, they all had set themselves up here about a hundred years ago. Of course they're all gone now, but they left behind a strange mix of architectures from around Europe. An odd thing to see so far from home! The biggest, grandest buildings are mainly on one street, but there's ones dotted about all ...

So, after a week in Beijing I am still here, and I am still waiting............. My German friend Anne finally made it to Beijing on Wednesday (after her 50 hour train marathon.) Our first few days together has been an interesting start to our journey to say the least?!? We are waiting for her Mongolian visa to be processed. I am looking forward to finally heading out in the direction of Mongolia sometime tomorrow! Looks like ...