2/11/08: Welcome to International Falls, Minnesota! We set out to sight see today into 30 degrees with 0 windchill. We're glad we packed gloves, hats and scarves because it's cold. After stopping at the Bank of China to exchange money, we started with lunch at the Golden Tripod Attic, a Chinese chain restaurant that was actually very good. I have attached a couple of photos from there. The pork, noodles, shrimp and egg rolls were great. Even the Coke Light! Lunch for four - $12!
We then proceeded on a 5 mile walk beginning with Billy's apartment (photos) followed by seeing the Bird's Nest or Olympic Stadium (photos). We all decided China has a long way to go in construction to be ready by 8/08/08! We then rode the bus to visit the final day of the Temple Fair (photos). Oh my gosh - take the Minnesota State Fair with the food booths and game booths, mutiply the people by at least 10 times and you have a Beijing Temple Fair. We have never seen anything like this - the sounds, the smells and the masses of people! After one hour in the 0 degrees and fighting the crowds, we returned to Starbucks by the hotel to try some much needed hot chocolate.
The day ended with a cab ride towards downtown Beijing to the Hutong Pizza restaurant. Hutong means 'traditional home" in Chinese and the restaurant was in an old neighborhood of alleys near a lake with bars and restaurants lining the streets. A lake where people skated was also in the area. The food was incredible and the fireworks continued non stop. All the way back, people were lighting fireworks and firecrackers right in the roads and parking lots. Billy had carried sparklers and a can of fireworks all day in his back pack. We lit all of the sparklers and were going to light the cannister when two drunk Chinese men walked by and kicked over the can and all of the "bombs". We couldn't believe it! Jingyi headed to her home and we went back to pack for the 5 day trip upcoming to Xian and Shanghai.
We then proceeded on a 5 mile walk beginning with Billy's apartment (photos) followed by seeing the Bird's Nest or Olympic Stadium (photos). We all decided China has a long way to go in construction to be ready by 8/08/08! We then rode the bus to visit the final day of the Temple Fair (photos). Oh my gosh - take the Minnesota State Fair with the food booths and game booths, mutiply the people by at least 10 times and you have a Beijing Temple Fair. We have never seen anything like this - the sounds, the smells and the masses of people! After one hour in the 0 degrees and fighting the crowds, we returned to Starbucks by the hotel to try some much needed hot chocolate.
The day ended with a cab ride towards downtown Beijing to the Hutong Pizza restaurant. Hutong means 'traditional home" in Chinese and the restaurant was in an old neighborhood of alleys near a lake with bars and restaurants lining the streets. A lake where people skated was also in the area. The food was incredible and the fireworks continued non stop. All the way back, people were lighting fireworks and firecrackers right in the roads and parking lots. Billy had carried sparklers and a can of fireworks all day in his back pack. We lit all of the sparklers and were going to light the cannister when two drunk Chinese men walked by and kicked over the can and all of the "bombs". We couldn't believe it! Jingyi headed to her home and we went back to pack for the 5 day trip upcoming to Xian and Shanghai.
4 comments:
Yikes. This cold front seems to be everywhere in the northern hemisphere at this point. Glad to hear you guys made it over there safely and have enjoyed the first day. I'm not sure the pictures were downloaded however, b/c I don't see them here. It certainly could be my unfamiliarity with the blogosphere too...
Safe travels!
WOW!!! So wish we were there. Or that you were here, can't believe you bagged on our anniversary -- and we're going to Kincaid's to relive our first date. Won't be the same without you... Say hello to Billy and (ok, I forget, I think I will officially rename her. Will let you know what before your trip is over). See if you can find any Nietskes -- I will pay you big wampum. Have a great time!!!! Miss you....
ohmygosh you're not going to BELIEVE who we ran into at Kincaid's tonight. Mike and Katie Williams -- were there with his brother (bearded guy, don't remember him). Ann's (Mike's sister) father-in-law passed away so they were up for the funeral. HA! We went somewhere and ran into people we knew!!!! Just call us the Meyers!!!!!
One more thing -- as I remember, when we took a great winter vacation we took someone with us. OH YEAH I remember now it was you two. Jess ran into Becca Smith tonight -- was at Target and Becca was working and checked her out. Big news apparently. This was NOT the time for you to leave town and be out of cell range....
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