Beijing Hotels
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Blogging in Beijing
Entry 13 of 18 | show all | print this entry |
September 25, 2006
I decided to create a blog today...for some reason I just wanted to write, I kinda miss it. So well this is my eight day in Beijing... I was really surprised with how much smog there is in this city. I was asked by a friend how is Beijing and my reply was the same. He asked if there was any other city in Asia Pacific that I know of where the air is not polluted anyway. Without hesitation, I said, yah, Sydney! And his reply, right about that, heaven on earth. Haha...
Okay well, this is supposed to be about Beijing so let me get back to it. Aside from being smoggy, Beijing is a really fascinating city and I reckon I'm having too much fun. For one, this appears to be a shopper's heaven. My sister would love this place!!! haha. Our internal clients brought us for Peking Duck last Friday and that was fun. Apart from the food being great, we were informed that the restaurant is one of the most famous restaurants in China, called Da Dong. They even had a short demonstration of 4 ways of eating Peking Duck although there's definitely more than 4. I've seen all the 3 except the first way where you dip the skin on a bit of sugar. Great, skin and sugar. How sinful is that?! We probably had a 15 course meal and 2 dessert types and we paid USD 10.50 each. That is just awesome!!! Now Im really loving China.
How I wish I could speak Mandarin though. I would say an occasional Xie-Xie (meaning thank you) and everyone seems to think Im Chinese. They reckon my pronounciation is perfect. Hmmm, my American Chinese friend didnt seem to think so, as I could not even pronounce his surname. Great!!! So I did stop trying to learn the language a long time ago. Knowing a few words (specially for shopping) was pretty neat though. I could throw in a "sorry" (du-bu chi) once in a while or my personal favorite (Pu-yao la) meaning I dont like! That was quite effective for those salesladies who were trying to get me to buy their stuff. Hehehe. Who said watching MG would not pay off!!!! Hehehee.
Yesterday, Sunday, I had to travel far to get to the one place where they were holding an English mass. The service was beautiful. I was fascinated that the readings were done in both English and French. There must be heaps of expats in here. One thing I noticed though, they all seem to speak Mandarin pretty well.
On the way to church, I passed by the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square which were by the way featured in the current season of the Amazing Race. I wouldnt try the fish eyes though as a roadblock. Go Tyler and James and Rob minus Kimberly!!! Haha. Although I havent been in Beijing for over 6 years now, Ive done all those touristy stuff. Done the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and all that. Maybe, I'll just resurrect the pictures I took in year 2000.
I had too much fun at the Silk Street yesterday. I was in my element. I find it hard to believe that here in Beijing, if you do not bargain, you are either plain stupid or just dont care about money. I dont know if I love or hate the fact that your first haggle has got to be 1/10th of the price, that's just ridiculous. After I bought so much, I saw a really really nice leather bag, and asked how much the price was. Yah it was 850 RMB. Then I sort of started to walk away when she said, how much do I want it; not having any plans to buy it I said 50 (6.50 USD). She said impossible, so I continued walking, she goes, 600 and I go 50. She cries 400 please, I said no 50 (with a slight grin). She says ok 200, and I was starting to worry. I stuck to my guns and said 50. She then says last price 100. And I was starting to doubt this bag. And I said no 50 only and walked away. She calls me back and says okay 50! And bam, I had a new bag. hahahaha. I'd probably give it as a present ...Watch out if you receive a bag for Christmas. Haha.
The hotel we're at (Hilton) is also really nice. The rooms have just been renovated and it's great as you get a really long couch. The gym is great as it closes late at 10:30. No one swims at the pool and yet there's a dedicated lifeguard. It was pretty odd swimming alone in the pool with a lifeguard watching. The office is near but one has to be careful with crossing the streets, I know I sound as if I didnt grow up in Manila after all. But seriously, crossing the streets here is really tricky. You dont watch for the pedestrian light, you watch the traffic! The bus drivers seem to think they also took on a license to threaten your life. Sigh.
Having said all that, I was really amazed at the buildings here in Beijing. They like to build things vast and wide. Their government office buildings are majestic and grandiose. Dont get me wrong, there are skyscrapers though. And the people, yah...they are really nice and friendly. specially our hosts who aim to please.
I guess Im really having a great time. It would be great to be here in August 2008 for the you know what. It will be amazing. Well, it's late and I have an early day tomorrow so I best end this. Just wanted to share my thoughts to my friends and tell them where I have been gallivanting about.
Till next time. Safe travels.
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