On my own in Beijing
For the last two nights, I decided I needed go about exploring Beijing on my own. Its been really nice having Jeffery around (a Shanghi native) to communicate and explain things. His experienced pallate has made for some of the most excellent food selections, despite the fact every place we have eaten at was choosen at random. There is a certain skill to guessing whats the best thing on the menu. Ill give him that.
Still, I HAD to get away and do some exploring for myself. Im sure he felt the same way too. You have to realize that he a pessimist’s pessimist. Everybody at work teases him for this. (and he knows it!) Some folks are half empty types, he worries about the glass breaking. If you correct him that your glass is plastic…well…even worse. Plastic has been known to cause cancer blah blah blah….you get my point.
When I heard him talk, I kept on hearing the same word over and over again. It sounded like “Mayo Mayo”. Turns out that was Méiyou, Chinese for “No”. It would come to nobodys surprise that THIS was the first word I picked up from him.
First off, I went to the supermarket close to the hotel. This market is in the basement of a large building. The experience was better than the first time I hit central market. Everything was strange and new. The fruits and veggies we exotic. The meat section was eye opening. The smells were wonderful. I think its just the Asian markets in the US that are stinky because this market was awesome!
I bought a few things based solely on the packaging.
Qoo, an apple flavored drink featuring a perpetually frustrated cartoon character is probibly the best tasting “non-apple juice” apple juice flavored drink I have ever had. It was a let down to find out it was a Coke product.
Pocari Sweat was exactly what I imagined a “salt and Glucose” drink would taste like. The name reminded me WAY to much of Steve Polcari though. A Dallas musician. Kinda unfortunate name.
The best stuff was pineapple flavored beer. Its .8%, so its 1/4 the kick of Oklahoma beer. It tasted like pineapple soda.
The problem Beijing is that the majority of the town closes up at 9pm on the dot. After leaving the market it was 8:20, I had to get a leg up. I picked a place that had a menu with pictures. Now I realize that these are not actual pictures, but suggestions….kinda like the posters on the wall at barbershop. I picked a dish with mushrooms (always a safe bet) and one with what looked like beef.
I probibly got beef, but it was most likely liver. Im still not sure. The texture was gritty, but the flavor was good. I ate it, but I dont think Ill be ordering it again.
Thursday I had hoped I could better. I was thinking about checking out the Sanlitun district. This is one of the more popular entertainment districts. A co-worker suggested I instead go to the HouHai area. It was supposed to be more “arty” with singers instead of just bars.
The ride down was interesting. I had a lively conversation with the cab driver using hand signs and vocal gestures. It went something like this.
Driver: [ holds a mike in the air and sings a few bad notes] Are you going to Houhai to sing Kareoke?
Me: [shaking head] No
Driver: [Makes a drinking sign followed by a stagging sway to his shoulders] Oh…you are going drinking?
Me: [ Making camera gestures and noodle eating moves]. No, Im just going to take pictures and perhaps have a drink.
Driver: [ Waves hands and sings into an air mike again] Oh, you really must try the singing. Its fun.
Me: Méiyou, Méiyou (Hey…I Jeffs pessimism paid off).
Driver: [Shrugs and sings again] You dont know what your missing.
Me: [Point to throat with tapping sign then I make a violin playing gesture]. Im not really much of a singer. I play violin though.
Driver: [Nods Head] Oh…impressive.
Driver: [Points to wrist] ???? (At first I thought it was a time thing)
Driver: [Points again to his wrist then my arm hair....then my head and his head and laughs] Your arms are so hairy and head bald while my arms are baby soft and I have a full head of hair. Ha Ha
At this point I was at a loss of words in a situtation that didnt really require any in the first place. But the ride was over, so I paid the fare and set out to see the city.
It was nice to look at, but MAN every three feet had a bar barker asking if I wanted to step into their bar. The majority of these were just shacks with a sofa. Many more people stopped me asking if I looking for a lady bar or who knows what. My suggestion is to check this place out during the day so you can safely explore the alleys around the lake. The bars themselves do not really look all that exciting. There were lots of people singing with guitars and kareoke, but…well, there was a whole seediness too it that I just creeped me out. Plus I didnt want to drink and lose my edge. It was enough of a rush just being there. I took my pictures and walked a few blocks away to find food. It was ok, but not as good as stuff I had before.
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