I Heart BJ

(Beijing)

Dan and I have been being super touristey in Shanghai-- visiting the Science and Technology Museum and Yuyuan Garden area last week and trying every possible boba. Last night we got on an overnight train along with Ponyo and arrived in Beijing this morning. We explored Xidan area, a fairly nice shopping area in close vicinity to Tianenmen Square, Forbidden City, Mao's Mausoleum, and other such Chinesey, touristey places.

Science and Tech Museum
It always surprises me how much random information I can recall from my childhood, especially when considering how little new material I've seemed to absorb since entering USC. Same with Chinese characters-- I'm pleasantly surprised.

Dan with his real camera. Cool building, like a mini, glass Epcot.

With the toothpaste-esque logo of the 2010 Shanghai Expo.

Their animal room was like a still from a Sahara scene.

Hyena with antelope leg.

Dan opposes gravity. The catch with going exploring with one other
person is all of the pictures of you end up on their camera, and
vice versa.

Tianzifang, adorable little hipster alleyway area.

Another adventure-- I think a spider bit me on the right hand and
for the past 2 days it's been swelling and hurting increasingly. I
think it's finally starting to calm down. Good work, liver and kidneys!

Monstrous mosquito bite on the back of my leg. Bugs here are
particularly aggressive/venomous. Bastards.

My hand swelled to Michelin-man proportions. Disgusting.
More incentive not to get fat.

Near Yuyuan Garden, an area known for traditional-style buildings,
historical remnants and lots of shopping opportunities.

So pretty!

Zigzag bridge, Lake pavilion.

They swim in circles!

Not sure why there are dog-like creatures on these rooftops. Also,
the clear blue sky is a rarity in SH. Perfect day for the garden.

It zigs and zags. Sky was clear enough to see the bottle opener and
other tower in Pudong in the background!

Dragon! Its body lines the top of the wall and it has a sphere in
its mouth. Not sure what that's representative of but I'm sure it's
interesting.

It was hot as hell and humid, so we were basically wet while we
walked around all day. Fresh kiwi juice and mung bean/condensed
milk shaved ice!!

English translations are horrid. Can't even begin to comprehend
what they're intending.

Riding a dragon turtle.

Foreign Pringles. SO COOL!

In the 10 yuan store, equivalent to about $1.5 USD. This cute little
revolver was actually a torch! Also, my thumb bends strangely.

Szechuan for dinner! This fish was cooked in chili oil. They scooped
out a whole bowl of chilis and numbing peppercorns so we could
actually see the fish.

Amazing! Sweet potato in caramelized sugar which was still melty, so
you stick it in the bowl of cold water to harden it before you eat!

After getting to BJ today Ponyo's aunt and cousin treated us to lunch-- super delicious and we were all so full. Quite a feat for me, Ponyo, and Dan to all be so full. The train ride itself was not the most pleasant. We'll likely splurge for more comfort and less creepy, dirty people on the return trip, but the hotel we're staying in is really nice and in a spectacular location.

Delicious steamed perch with garlic, chili, cilantro.

They yelled at me and chased me out for passing the yellow line
when trying to get a picture with the lion. Oops.

Guards at Tianenmen Square, illuminated at night. The bridge goes
through the square and toward the Forbidden City.
Makes it that much more appealing! We'll go sometime this weekend.

Mao-soleum.

Me and Ponyo representing SC in front of Tianenmen!

Tomorrow we're going on a tour to the Badaling section of the Great Wall and the summer palace, and then will come back to explore Xidan area in the daylight, making it to a street supposedly filled with small snacks by dusk for noms.