Blossoming Beijing

One thing that has surprised me about Beijing is how modern it is. I think because Beijing  just recently started to go through a period of rapid development, it has the unique opportunity to expand using the best technological resources and design plans. Some of the buildings I have stumbled across are truly amazing. They are so chic and advanced looking that I almost feel like I am stepping into the future. I have never seen anything like it in the United States. One of my new favorite places to go is this area called Tuanjiehu. It is home to many of the foreign embassies and has one of the most amazing shopping/eatery areas that I have ever seen! Never have I encountered more interesting and delicious looking restaurants. Can't wait to try them all out!

Right:  This building was recently built in the Tuanjiehu area. 

Another interesting aspect of Beijing, is the vast multitude of places in which one can go to purchase technical goods. In fact Beijing even has its own technology district, which I went to yesterday with a friend in search of buying a new sim card. In this area, there is building after building full of every electronic product you could possibly think of. And to paint a more accurate picture, all of these buildings each contain multiple stories of little shops where you can go to bargain to buy anything electronic ranging from something simple like a hello-kitty web cam to something bigger like a Mac computer/ Mac products. However, there is one thing that these buildings do not offer and that is peace. It is anything but a tranquil atmosphere. From the minute you walk in you will have sales representatives all but trampling you in eager hopes of ushering you into their small shop. I still can't decide if I find the shopping experience amusing or suffocating. Probably a little bit of both?

Another thing I have noticed about Beijing is that you constantly need to be watching where you are going. The concept of green and red lights is subject to personal interpretation. By this I mean that drivers will continue driving wherever it is that they want to go even if someone is walking across the street and the same can be said for pedestrians. If the light is pedestrian light is red, it is not uncommon to see a swarm of people making their way across the chaotic intersection. Cars are whizzing by, but people just stand calmly and wait for them to pass before they continue on with their journey across the great divide of the street. I am so used to having the right of way as a pedestrian that it has taken some time for me to get used to the idea that I never really am in the safe zone because cars will not always stop. In my braver moments, I have attempted to make myself one of the daring crowds and together we unite to trek across the car filled intersections. Slightly scary, but when in Beijing? Aiiiyaah! But oddly enough I have not seen any accidents. Which is a good thing because people here do not wear seat belts unless they are in the front seat. But even that does not seem to happen that often. I have already received several comments of shock and interest when I reach to clip on my seat belt, something I find to be a basic instinct at this point in my life. For me wearing a seatbelt is second nature and not wearing it feels almost as if I were to walk outside without my pants!

So far one of my only complaints has been the cigarette smoke. It's everywhere! On the streets, restaurants, the bathroom and even in my office! Some days I just cannot escape the smell. As far as my office goes it is somewhat quaint but cozy. I work on the 6th floor and have my own cubicle in a room that I share with 5 other women. They are all very pleasant and up-beat, but most of the time relatively quiet. It makes for a good work environment. Today I spent most of the day translating a survey that my company intends to send to foreign publishing companies. It was actually quite rewarding- felt my college education paying off!

 Oh and one last thing that I found very interesting is China's policy for driving. I wasn't aware of this although I am sure it was probably mentioned in the US News at some point but China aims to lower pollution and fuel emissions released into the air by restricting those with a car to having one day a week in which they are not permitted to drive. This system is organized according to the last digit of the car's licence plate numbers. Wednesday is my host family's day because their licence number ends with an '8.' So this Wednesday instead of driving, we ventured out of our apartment complex and were lucky enough to quickly find someone else to drive us to work. And when I say someone, I do not mean a taxi. I think because of this governmental policy, regular citizens have been able to capitalize on the no car driving policy and use it as an opportunity to make money on the side by driving those who cannot drive on their specific day. Although my host family has instructed me not to do this by myself (for safeties sake), I find it to be quite innovative and effective. It is like public carpooling or a modern day remnant of the days when hitchhiking wasn't a suicide wish. It's a great concept and I am glad it works. China is doing their part to reduce some of the environmental harm that the human race etches into the earth and I hope that the US will be inspired to work on this as well. Although in a selfish way I am not so sure I like the idea of having a law where I am not allowed to drive on a specific day. 

Overall, China has been good to me so far and like a child mesmerized by a fresh and fragrant blossoming flower I am drawn to the beauty of Beijing and its ornate petals!

 At Peking University.

Houhai at night. Mixture of modern and traditional.

Bicycles at Houhai

The more modern side of Houhai.