We had our first experience with the Beijing subway system and I have to say it was really really impressive. Probably the first thing I’ve really liked about this city. It was VERY clean and VERY efficient and VERY easy to use. Each track was a number (about 13 currently) and each station was well identified in Chinese and English. The cost was only 2 ¥ for a one way trip (less than 35 cents, AMAZING!) Much cheaper and less frustrating than a cab (not that cabs are pricey to begin with though). We only had to make a few transfers and got right to the Olympic venue.
The structures built for the Olympics were quite impressive, especially the large promenade around the area. I would really like to know what was knocked down in order for them to build these though. I learned while here that the people don’t actually own the land they live on when they build a house, the government does. That means whenever the government decides they want to build something, they just tell you to move. For such a great expanse to be made available a lot of people must have had to find new homes. Sounds archaic but that might be the only way the Peace Bridge gets done! I’m sure those in Buffalo would get a bit more compensation than Beijing, but I digress.
After the Olympic park I had probably my favorite meal of the trip (second maybe to Pizza Hut from New Year’s Eve...I know, I know, it seems ridiculous but really the food is unbearable). We went to a restaurant called ‘rbt’ which I’m assuming is short for ‘rabbit’ as there was a picture of the creature below the sign. It had an extensive menu of drinks as well as entrees that were Chinese, yet had a western feel to them. I had a beef and noodle soup and cinnamon mocha which was an odd combination but separately sounded delicious, and they were.
After our late lunch I fulfilled a half-life long dream, which will require some explanation. Approximately 13 years ago, I believe it was the summer of 1996, the family traveled to Washington D.C. for a vacation to see the sights and be miserable in Smithsonian after Smithsonian together (Side note it took me way too long to figure out how to spell “Smithsonian,” what a strange word!) Anyways on this trip we scheduled time to see the Great Panda at the wonderful D.C. Zoo, and 9 year old Rob wanted nothing more than to see the pandas, and was so excited to be doing so. However, something went wrong along the way, and I never got to see the creatures. I don’t remember if we just didn’t go, or if the panda exhibit was closed or something…the memory is so traumatic that the details are fuzzy. Regardless I was very upset by this and have been looking to fulfill my dream of seeing a panda ever since until…..
WE WENT TO SEE THE PANDAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that’s right, Beijing Zoo, China! HOME of the pandas! I can’t think of a better way to mend 13 plus years of sadness. WOW double take on my blog name. That could totally work. Ha. Anyways, the pandas were very cool. Very panda-y. The pictures are dark as it wasn’t very well lit in the panda house, but I was able to see three different pandas, all of whom were stereotypically eating bamboo. I mean really, they don’t have anything better to do. Their living situation didn’t seem to be all that nice, but there was an outdoor area for them in the summer. Since we got to the zoo so late we only had an hour to look around. The zoo overall is absolutely terrible. Very few animals in a very widespread area. We made friends with a giraffe, who looked sad, but at least he had other giraffes to chill with. In the giraffe house the paint was chipping off, it was missing an entire light fixture which looked like it had fallen down and was overall just dingy. We saw a few monkeys as well and their cage only had a few beams running across. Nothing considerable for them to play with or be able to exercise, etc. Very disheartening.
This blog covers two days as I discovered my internet bill was piling up so decided to wait until we got to Shanghai as we were under the impression internet was going to be free here. Wrong, more expensive! I did, however, find a Chinese copycat of Starbucks across the street from the Hotel so I am going to use this until Wednesday. Today we left the hotel at 8am to catch our flight to Beijing. It was delayed about 45 minutes for them to de-ice, but was a really quick flight, and they didn’t lose my luggage! Hurray!
I already like Shanghai so much more than Beijing. I did say that Beijing’s streets were clean, and Shanghai’s are as well, especially in the area where the hotel is. The traffic I think is much worse, but at least it looks like an urban planner worked on this city. Our Shanghai version of Frank, named Scotty, gave us a bit of info on Shanghai. Most interesting was the rapid development of the larger buildings in the city. He said 30 years ago there were 3 buildings over 20 stories. Today there are over 3,000. I didn’t quite believe him until we got into the downtown area and it really looks a lot like NYC. The pictures from my hotel room show a times-square-esqe street, like the one we were near in Beijing, but much, much better. There are SO many people here. On the way to dinner (yes, I ate authentic local food tonight) I heard someone pass us and say ‘Oh Americans!’ It was delightful. The number one item I am enjoying about Shanghai is that it was about 50 degrees today instead of 10. It actually snowed in Beijing our last night, which apparently is a rare occurrence there. Of course it happens when the Buffalonians are in town. You’ll enjoy the picture of the workers sweeping snow off the sidewalks/streets of Beijing. Slightly primitive. Slightly.
Well I’m fighting a losing battle with my computer battery. Early to bed tonight as I’m fairly certain I’m fighting concurrent sinus and respiratory infections. Thanks Beijing pollution! People smoking indoors hasn’t helped either. At least NY got something right.
HAPPY NEW YEAR’S!
-R-
Pictured:
Zoo, bird’s nest, water cube, street sweepers, Shanghai hotel view and some of the skyline
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