Way Behind

I'm way behind in updating this and for that I apologize. I'm not trying to make excuses, but I have a couple good reasons for the delay, (1) I haven't had/sought consistent computer access, (2) I'm having too much fun to take the time and (3) for the better part of the past month, I've been traveling or staying with people and they're much more interesting for me to interact with than a silly computer.

Here's a quick update of where I've been. I spend a week plus in Beijing, flew down to Hangzhou, spent a week in Shanghai and now I'm in Hong Kong. And it's finally warm, woohoo! I even went to the beach today. There's no way I'm going to do justice to my experiences of the past couple weeks, but I'll try to give some highlights/impressions.

Beijing
Did I mention how much I enjoyed this city? I think I did, in any case, let me say it again. This place is teeming with life, past present, future, it's all here. Xian is the ancient capital and it's got some great history, but I think the sites are way more compelling in Beijing. In a similar way that the elegance and beauty of the temples in Kyoto draw you in, the magnitude and grandeur of the Forbidden City and the Great Wall blow you away. Beijing was pretty close (it's not the north capital for no reason) hovering around freezing the whole time and snowing on multiple occasions. The one positive being that there were less travelers and I didn't get hastled too much, oh and I got to throw snowballs at random Beijingers from time to time. I was fortunate to walk the 10k on the Greet Wall on a crisp, clear, yet cold day. I must have been one amount fifteen tourists that morning. We all got a good workout and I was fortunate not having been more sore from the previously mentioned exercise routines.

I also really enjoyed the 798 art district, admittedly as much for the real estate as for the art. Several years ago the government decided to transform a district of old warehouse building into galleries and a walking area. I'm not sure if this area is economically viable, meaning is enough art being sold to allow the galleries to afford the rent that must be required to justify the cost of rehabilitating the area? And in general is the art at a reasonably high quality or are the galleries fishing for tourist dollars (i went back and forth on this one)? From a public works/space perspective, I just love the idea. I know my Chicago peeps are still smarting from last months' Olympic rejection. But imagine if the City invested the cost of just one of the temporary stadiums (let's say $400 mil) into an area like this. What would you rather have, a stadium for three weeks or a lasting area for creativity and tourism? Seems like an obvious choice to me.

The one disappointing attraction I experience was going to Chaoyang Theatre to see some acrobats. I'm clearly spoiled, since I was left unastounded by the show. Let's just say that I was impressed but hoping for jaw-dropping stuff, which I didn't see. Plus there was no narrative and little artistry. Just gals and dudes in ugly leotards.

The food on the other had was very good. The night we went out for duck was probably the best meal of my trip. Since it was only $20, I'm' craving it again just thinking about it. Wait, Cantonese food is delicious....mmmm Chinese food. The duck was awesome, the best part being the crisply skin, which would melt in your moth after the application of some sugar. The show stopper though were sauteed bamboo shoots, with a great soy marinade and a satisfying crispiness.

Aside from the pollution, the City was totally great...sites, food and best of all the people.