2009 China – Beijing

My first impression of Beijing was one of wonder as we watched seven window washers rappelling down the side of a 20 story building cleaning windows. The flight from Shanghai took 2 hours on a fully loaded 747. That is some traffic.

It is a very different experience than Shanghai and has wonderful things to see.The Hilton is a first-rate hotel and when you stay there, say “Hi” to RayRay from Nowell and Perry.You also have to buy a good guide book to get the whole Beijing story. Don’t leave home without it.

(Return To China Menu)

A complete Beijing Duck meal.

Lanterns are everywhere and they are a nice touch.

Lots of nice walkways in Beijing. Find a quiet one and stroll home.

Orange is a big color in China. It means something good, like health or luck.

They cell cameras, cards and batteries. Perry checked. Truth in advertising.

Maria calls this the Dirt Market because it was a dirt plot before they paved it for the Olympics.

There are a lot of permanent shops at the dirt market.

I'm bringing a seal with me next time and have it carved into a vest.

We bought a coffee and pizza from this fellow at the dirt market.

I bought this painting from the young man who created it. He met Perry in the intersection when Perry "Ratso Rizzo'd" a taxi in the crosswalk. He had never seen a human best a taxi before and invited us to his shop.

The series is the four seasons. I liked the pink flowers best. Several months after the trip I was doing a product demonstration at a customer's office and he had all three hanging in his meeting room. He also bought them from this guy.

Willy Loman is the patron saint of China. Everybody is selling something. You have to learn to say "mayo mayo" if you don't want to buy.

This fellow tailed us for blocks until he got a jar of mayo from Perry.

OK, I will.

The ridges in the sidewalk make it easy for the visually impaired to navigate the city safely.

Little girls are cute the world over.

The tea girls are trying to figure out how to process my MasterCard. I bought the coolest travel tea bottle from them.

Running over pedestrians is a sport in China. You cannot walk distracted in any city. Keep your eyes open and your wits about you.

The pedicab drivers are very friendly.

Weddings are big business for photographers. This pre-wedding shoot took place outside the Forbidden City

Perry takes advantage of the action.

The groom.

The wedding party.

While this was at The Forbidden City, it is a common sight in Beijing. The tour groups stay together by their identifying hats.

The hats come in many colors.

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