Back In The PRC

Burnin' the Midnight Oil

2011-03-02T00:54:00.000-08:00

It's approaching 3AM here in Chicago, and Xiang is still at it; keeping the world's freight flowing, aloft and afloat;
Libyan civil unrest and Somali Pirates be damned!

Taxiing for Takeoff

2009-10-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

Xiang moping about going back to work.

Spic 'n Span

2009-10-20T01:20:00.000-07:00

This little guy swooped into my stall to clean it as soon as I exited...

...call it his *porcelain rice bowl*!!!

Please Be Seated

2009-10-20T01:16:00.000-07:00

If I never see another one of those holes in the floor which pass for *facilities* in China, it'll be too soon.

At least the Airport has modern toilets!

(More on this whole issue later.)

Tea for 3

2009-10-20T01:09:00.000-07:00

Last sips before the "No Liquids" rule takes effect.

Beijing Bye-bye...

2009-10-20T01:02:00.000-07:00

Been *off-device* for a few days now, and time to catch-up before they tell me to shut it off pre-flight.

That's right, flying out now, and I'll lose my transmission capabilities soon as well, so gotta hustle!

Massive Airport - BJE!!!

See U @ ORD!!!

The Family Li

2009-10-15T22:08:00.000-07:00

I must tear myself away from my non-clandestine surveillance of the goings-on at the BUCT Campus and facilities; as the pack of ravenous Wolves with whom I am staying have already put out the morning's spread, and are now proceeding to devour it.

Simple rules here: Get to the table quickly or starve!

Green Thumb

2009-10-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

Peering down from my vantage point, I spot a BUCT Nursery worker going about his morning tasks.

Morning Anthem

2009-10-15T21:44:00.000-07:00

By my second cup of Nescafe "Soluble" (as the China-marketed label describes it) Coffee, I heard recorded martial-march brass-band music wafting over from the nearby Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) athletics field.

Peering out my bedroom window which looks out over towards the field (and the BUCT Nursery), I saw a track and field competition beginning its opening ceremonies; coincidentally, on the same day as the opening of China's *National Games* in Shandong.

I always get a little confused at the beginning of the PRC's National Anthem, as its opening strains remind me a little of the start of "Peter and the Wolf".

Cherry Picking

2009-10-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

Apple of his eye?

Pippen especially liked this particular contestant; singling her out for special recognition.

She could move;
she had skilz...

Life After Hoops

2009-10-15T21:05:00.000-07:00

Among the assembled luminaries judging the competition -- former NBA and Chicago Bulls Star -- Scottie Pippen.

Sweet gig!

Star Search

2009-10-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

On the evening's viewing menu: Came in to see the in-laws entranced by a live cheerleading dance competition among young Chinese contestants hoping for a spot on an NBA cheer-squad.

"Suppertime"

2009-10-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

Walk in the door at
8-o'clock sharp to this...

"...Supper, supper-supper-supper; Supper, supper-supper-supper; Supper, supper-supper-supper-time!!!

The Last Mile

2009-10-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

Mao Ze Dong said "The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step;" I guess that had something to do with his military efforts, or maybe in a more figurative sense, the continued struggle of "liberation"; most certainly a work *still* in progress, but progress it has (pretty well) in the People's Republic of China.

Now I must step off and wend my way home, as I've reached my destination stop at Huixinxijienankou -- which, I am reminded by the train's intercom in both Mandarin and English (were I to choose to continue on and choose another route) -- *is* a "transfer station".

It's a Clean Machine

2009-10-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

Though the Subway Stations are well provisioned with advertising space for sale, the Trains themselves are surprisingly absent any such media.

Save for the LCD screens situated adjacent to the car doors, the passenger compartments are conspicuously devoid of the sort of cacophony of visual stimuli which blare their pedestrian messages on U.S. Mass transit systems.

Preferring neutral, clean and bright interior and exterior surfaces, the Beijing Subway looks and feels right.

Multiple Impressions

2009-10-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

Serving as a transfer point for Subway, Bus, Surface Rail and the Airport, Dongzhimen sees significant traffic on a daily basis. Not surprisingly, it provides an optimal venue for marketers; offering a spacious environment for state-of-the-art signage.

The People's Daily?

2009-10-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

Returning to meet our Subway connection at Dongzhimen Station, one pedestrian concourse is emblazoned -- walls and pillars - with signage promoting the inaugural Chinese edition of GQ -- Gentlemen's Quarterly.

Keep on Smiling

2009-10-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

My grin belies the minor aggravation I am experiencing over other visitors to the wall crowding and disrupting this photo op. Mainly elderly French and American tourists who took the Cable Car route to the top, I am doing my best to avoid both an international, as well as inter-generational incident from erupting at this *scenic point*.

In the distance, over my shoulder, the Chinese characters could very well be recommending that visitors *chill* and enjoy the view; but my own former "Young Pioneer" informs me that, more correctly, they request loyalty to Chairman Mao and his principles.

Well, I guess it beats a sign pimping "One World, One Dream" Olympic souvenier memories.

Sensible Shoes

2009-10-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

Manolo Blahnik they are not; but it sure beats portaging a hobbled Wife down the side of a Mountain!

A Nation's Bright Future

2009-10-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

"Young Pioneers" recognizable by their red neckerchiefs pose for my Camera while I wait for Xiang to finish her pre-climb wardrobe adjustment.

Paying It Forward

2009-10-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

The shopkeep who loaned my fashion forward spouse a somewhat more practical pair of kicks for the treacherous hike ahead. This self-proclaimed Buddhist, a dealer in precious stones and jewelry made from them, refused any sort of payment for the temporary footwear; she was also generous enough to offer us a ride back to our Bus Route stop for the return leg into Beijing.

Despite her genuine protests, I slipped her a 50 Yuan Note as we departed her vehicle.

Sole Survivor

2009-10-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

After much *discussion* as to the value of a sprained ankle on the rocky outcrop of a Mountain path along the Great Wall, I finally convinced Xiang to borrow a pair of more utilitarian shoes from a proprieter at the base of that section of Chang Cheng we would be climbing.

The N Stands for...

2009-10-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

New Balance All-Terrain *Ninja* Black Wall-Climbers; aka Barbarian Butt-Stompers!

What I'm Saying...

2009-10-14T22:16:00.000-07:00

*Function following form*.

Hi-heel Sneakers?

2009-10-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

Don't know whether the shoes she's got on will cut it...