Beijing

Without the towering skyscrapers, and the really really fast paced business environment, all of which were built in the last 10 years that was Shanghai, Beijing is the ancient city of China. The government is more present, the smells are different, the culture is more "official," the writing has more strokes, the markets are more regulated. It's interesting. At first, I was a little disappointed. But there's more to this city than I see from our bus window. I'm impressed by what is happening inside the buildings that can be no higher than 52 stories.

The hotel. Just a couple of notes here. The bathroom in my room is the greatest thing I've encountered here by way of washrooms. And while airconditioning here wouldn't really be considered air conditioning in the states...it's pretty non existent most times and probably regulated at about 79 degrees otherwise...but it's FREEZING at the hotel. Every bit of this hotel is cold.

The market. OK. It's not an open air market, it's more like a shopping mall. Floors and floors and FLOORS of vendors and shops just begging you to come in and take a look. The basement houses a seafood restaurant (wouldn't dare eat there) that floods the building with smells that are all but wonderful, but the shopping. The pearls, the silk, the suits, the whateverelseunderthesun that you could think of buying makes the experience worth it. One of my guys had 2 suits tailor made for him in about a day and a half. He got measured on the spot (at about 8 p.m.) and by 7:30 a.m. the next morning (yesterday) they were at the hotel with the suit roughed out. Last night when we got back from dinner, they were there with the finished products. Amazing. And about $100 each. Now if he can get a tailormade suit for $100, then I definitely overpaid for my necklace.

Two dinners and drinks to come...but I must get ready for my day.
Don't let me forget...and I have pictures this time!!

But oh: http://www.wfaa.com/china and www.fortworthchamber.com/blog and if there's anything on www.dfw.com I can pull that website up from here sadly.

So. ya'll check that out and I"ll be back.