National Day Expedition: Part 1

   

      School was off this last week for national day, so we took a five day trip to Beijing. We traveled by bullet train at 190 mph, and it took 3 hours each way. Trains are very common in China, and the price is quite reasonable. The train stations are as large as airports. On our train ride we saw several small towns and lots of farmland. The crops were in huge fields like in the US, but once we were surrounded by a landscape of greenhouses. When in Beijing we took the subway to get to our hotel. This is the way to travel for cheap, as a cross city ride cost the three of us just one dollar. Our hotel was also low priced because there were many people in each room. There was a booking error so we got upgraded to a three person private room. This hotel also served food and gave tours to the Great Wall, and we took advantage of both services. It was called The Red Lantern, and the place was decorated with many such light sources. There was a goldfish pond in the middle of the common room, and a mini wooden bridge over was the best way to get to our room. Exiting out the front door, we would step into a small Beijing alleyway each time we left the hotel. Many small vendors sold fruit or meat or second hand books - all for a low price.

      We ate at three local restaurants in the neighborhood of the hotel, but one really stood out. To order we pointed at pictures of the food that looked the best, and we ended up with a great supper that night. The first dish was mutton and octopus with celery, red peppers, and raw garlic. There was a flame underneath that kept it boiling hot. We also had a beef and potato combo as well as a healthy helping of Sweet and Sour chicken (Suān tián jīròu). Finally we each had a bowl of rice and bottle of 青岛 brand beer (both very common in China). It was a great meal.