February 22, 2002

Today I was nearly a prisoner within the hotel and university grounds as the main street was blocked-off for President Bush's arrival at a Beijing University. From what I understand, this university is very close to mine and the procession of vehicles needed to pass by this area. Every attempt to enter the street met with failure as there were many police and guards at every entrance point and all along the route. Everyone caught within was visibly irked and I couldn't help but think that this would be just another reason for many of the people here to have mixed feelings about the United States. Anyway, once things opened up I took a long walk around this area of the city.

Found a full-sized grocery store nearby called WuFu and went inside. Found out you can't bring your backpack into the main part of the store....security guard grabbed me by the shoulder as I walked by him and he pointed to a desk where you hand-over your bag and they give you a ticket to retrieve it once your done shopping. I was pleasantly surprised at the great variety of things and if you blurred your vision, it would hardly be distinguishable from a store back home. Going back into focus though leaves you overwhelmed with the inability to read 99% of the names and descriptions on the packages. You just can't tell what some of the stuff is until you buy it and open it up. Personally, I am not that brave.....yet ! One difference that can be a little aggravating: Very narrow aisles.

Oh yeah, "Hey Mom, they do have bakery in China!!"

February 24, 2002

LOTS of things since the last journal entry! Jessie has been helping me look at apartments, and we have been assisted with some sort of middleman guy she found. Seems you can't simply pick up a newspaper here and start making calls to see available places. Especially if you are a "laowai" (foreigner) like myself. Chinese authorities have placed restrictions on where someone like myself can live and whatever you do choose, it had better be "foreigner approved" or you risk getting yourself into some trouble. Your only recourse in finding a place is to use these middlemen to do the leg work for you. Actually a blessing as I cannot even begin to imagine how tough it would be for me to do this on my own....even with Jessie's help.

As I mentioned in the previous journal entry, the first place was just too far away to be convenient. I would have to catch a few different buses to make it to campus, and I don't know what sort of schedule they run on. The second place was really nice and only a 15 minute walk from the university. I am afraid it may be overkill though as it is a bit pricey and it has two full sized bedrooms. One of the bedrooms is awesome because of the large section of windows that overlooks the northwest part of the city. In the far distance are foothills, or heck they may be mountains!! In any case, the apartment is on the 21st floor, and the view is fantastic! The middleman and his "colleague" (Never speaks and always seems like he hates being there.) have met us twice now. Even though I can't understand a word the main guy is saying, I can tell that he is a lot like your typical overly enthusiastic car salesman. Laughs and smiles seem to come too easily from him. Well, this place was going for 5,000 RMB and I am seriously considering it.

Found a nice little restaurant off-campus. Had a bowl of noodles with vegetables, a bowl of rice, and what looked to be about a 40 ounce bottle of Tsing Tao beer. All of this for about $1.50 USD!! Definitely going to make this place a regular stop. Oh, one of the girls there seems to get a real kick out of listening to me read Pinyin Chinese from my phrasebook. She and her coworkers simply laugh at me much of the time.

No CNN on the TV in my room, and only one English language channel (CCTV 9) which has news from a Chinese perspective and something that may even be helpful....a kiddie-like show for learning Chinese! I will have to figure out when it airs so I can be a regular watcher. One show on the same channel was just too much!! It is an English leaning show that looks to be run by a handful of ex-pats and some local Chinese citizens. The show opens with these same folks singing off-key to a "Learning Modern English is fun!" sort of a song.....I turn down the volume whenever it hits. Also, the show presents little skits that introduce different English phrases.....the acting and overall dramatizing is simply way over the top and I can say nothing more than it is VERY painful to watch if you already do speak the language!!!!