The top picture kind of sums up my reaction of China. I took it from the hutongs (the traditional housing areas) at the center of Beijing. In the background they are completing an ultramodern theater (the big silver egg), and the Chinese symbol on the wall to the left means that the neighborhood is scheduled for demolition. The country is growing so quickly, and so there are many examples of gigantic modern developments right next to older, traditional housing. It's pretty weird. Beijing was a great place to visit after Tianjin, and it was a lot easier to get around. Many people here spoke English and after having my fill of traditional Chinese food (which is totally different than Chinese food in the States) I started eating fast food every meal.
Also, the thing that looks like playground equipment is an exercise station. The government has put them in most of the hutongs to get the country ready for the 2008 olypics in Beijing. But exercise is a totally foreign idea to most of the people here, so it is kind of funny to see them walk up to the machines, hold on to them, and just swing one leg back and forth. I've decided to open a Gold's Gym there and whip all these people into shape. ~Robby
The top picture kind of sums up my reaction of China. I took it from the hutongs (the traditional housing areas) at the center of Beijing. In the background they are completing an ultramodern theater (the big silver egg), and the Chinese symbol on the wall to the left means that the neighborhood is scheduled for demolition. The country is growing so quickly, and so there are many examples of gigantic modern developments right next to older, traditional housing. It's pretty weird. Beijing was a great place to visit after Tianjin, and it was a lot easier to get around. Many people here spoke English and after having my fill of traditional Chinese food (which is totally different than Chinese food in the States) I started eating fast food every meal.
Also, the thing that looks like playground equipment is an exercise station. The government has put them in most of the hutongs to get the country ready for the 2008 olypics in Beijing. But exercise is a totally foreign idea to most of the people here, so it is kind of funny to see them walk up to the machines, hold on to them, and just swing one leg back and forth. I've decided to open a Gold's Gym there and whip all these people into shape. ~Robby
