We have been in Beijing for a few days ... I am afraid there is a hole in the documentation from the first couple since we were a miserable bunch. It seemed that the feeling of going nowhere in Shanghai was only a teaser for what was in store for us in Beijing. As incomprehensible as any foreign city may seem to a newcomer, the combination of rain, Chinese driving and rush hour traffic made for a mind blowing three hour car ride from Crystal + Rob Minkoffs flat in the "4th Ring" back to our hotel (a ride that should have taken 20 minutes). We wouldn't have waited until rush hour but when we initially attempted our departure it had just began to rain and none of the taxis would take us - it turns out they were hurrying home before the (rain) traffic hit - which at first seemed ridiculously lazy but we soon came to realize the claustrophobic truth. The three hour traffic jam was the icing on the transportation cake and nearly forced us to declare a ban on China (and almost each other). That's when we decided to sleep for 12 hours in hopes of waking up somewhere sunny with less pollution and congestion. Fortunately we woke up to Grace - it was our first day with the Chinese tour guide who turned out to be the cutey pie relief of the trip, she laughs at all my dads jokes, her and i walk arm + arm, she is silly, sweet and fun, dreamboat! Even though the sun still hasn't really come out yet the trip has taken a turn for the brighter.
Our first night in Beijing we ate peking duck in the 1949 dist. @ Duck de Chine.
Rainy day errands with Crystal, Rob, Pietro & Jeff. Envision loud techno bumping "I make your ice,,, cream. You make my lolly,,, pop."
The Rigs at Forbidden City.
JR walking through the Hutong (Old China alley ways) to our afternoon cooking class.
We made Yunnan lemon shredded chicken salad with mint, mushroom baked in lotus leaves and Heisanduo. Very simple, healthy and delicious.
Grace (left) and our cooking teacher.
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btw, if you would like to see more photos go : HERE
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