This Days Pictures.
I took a taxi to the airport. First I was going to take a motorcycle. In guilin one of the cheapest ways to get around is to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle. But all I could think about is how crazy the driving is and how angry my mom would be at me if something happened. I think it would be pretty dangerous. I ended up taking a taxi. Henry battered the price to 88 RMBs (11 dollars).
I am on my way to bejini now. The airport was little difficult to navigate through. After waiting in line for security I was sent back because I have to pay extra money for the airport fee. But I'm on the plane now and is good. The plane is just like what a domestic plane in the US is like, but much warmer. it's also very empty. Maybe 1/8th full most.
My plan when I land is to buy my ticket to hong kong. Then get to download and find a hotel. Henry called a friend of his in Bejini and asked him to make me a hotel reservation and he was unable to find one. That makes me nervious. The worst that will happen is that I'll take some expesnive place near the airport that caters to tourists. It will be more expensive. I really am trying to stay at places that the chinese stay in, I find that much more interesting.
I want to fly back to hong kong somewhat early so I'll have time go see a buddhist monestay that I was told about before going back to the city to get my hotel. It's the second largst buddihist monestary in china. I'd really like to be able to see it.
It really fun to have everything i eat be something new. I've only tried one thing that I don't like, but I was able to finish it.
Eatting here is very different then in america. All the food is placed in the center of the table and we just our chop sticks and grab as much as we want. We can eat directly from the communical dish or fill our bowl with a few bites worth (the bowls are very small). It seems like a much friendlyer way to eat. I enjoy it very much.
However as I don't eat much and I feel very bad wasting food. I don't have the option of ordering less food because my ordering method is simply pointing to something in chinese on a menu. So I really force myself to eat.
Henry taught me how to toast in china. When clinking glasses each person tries to have their glass lower then the other person. It's a respect thing. Putting your glass lower then the other person means you respect them. sometimes the two glasses get low enough that your clicking glasses on the table. Also, neither person tries to drink more then the other person. Obviosuly that gets difficult because both people can then be hessitent to drink.
Wow chinese plane food is bad.
the man sitting next to me on the plane and i just had a conversation (without using words) saying that he has a bag in front of him filled with little white stones (that you don't eat). He uses the stones to proect the bottles of little pigion wine that he has in the same bag. the bag is heavy.
It was a very informative conversation. Then he showed me how he ties the bag shut with a peice of string.
So I'm in Bejinig now. It's not to different from an american city really. I walked around tonight looking for a small hole in the wall restaurant (that's what some of the restaurants are) but I couldn't find any. I ended up going to a place and getting stir fried kidneys for about 4 dollars. It was pretty good.
When I rodered them however the server (who spoke no english) seemed hesittent, or suprised that I rodered them. It seemed like she wanted me to change my mind but I didn't. When she gave the order to the chef he pokcd his head out to see who ordered it.
So today at the airport I was getting a taxi. Some young chinese girl comes up to me and asks me if I am getting a taxi. I put my hands over my pockets (my new defensive stance) and say yes. She tells me that her aunt is a driver and can take me to my hotel. I say okay. She walks me upstairs and tells me the taxi ride will be 400 RMB's (50 dollars) I gawk and say no way. I ask how far the hotel is and say that itit sohuld be 120. She tries to barter but I do not change my price. some other taxi drivers get involved. Eventually 120 is agreed to. then she changes it to 150 (that is what I was willing to pay anyway). I say okay but I will not pay the toll fees. She walks me to the taxi, but it's not a taxi. It's just a normal car. that makes me pretty nervous so I say no and walk away. that made her very angry. I then went downstairs and got a taxi for 150. the taxi's done have meters so you need to make sure that you agree to a price.
I got my hotel. I decided to stay at a good hotel for a few reasons. 1. I am running short on cash (not money, just cash) and the nicer hotels take credit cards. 2. They speak english. 3. The tours pickup and drop of from the nicer hotels, so I will save money on cab fares.
So I am now paying 48 dollars a night for my hotel. but it's pretty nice so I'm not complaining. I can call downstairs for a wakeup call and everything.
My hotel is near all the embasseys. As I was walking around looking for a place to eat dinner I had all chinese soliders marching past me all the time. that was a bit odd but it feels like they were puposely not making eye contact with me. So far I have not had a bad experience with any chinese offical.
i was able to get my ticket back to hong kong without any touble, but it was almost double the price of what I expected it to be. But I really don't have a choice about it.
I was able to book 2 tours, one for the great wall, the other for the forbidden city.