November14- Beijing
Breakfast is provided at the hotel, but, because it’s not a tourist hotel, there is no indication of what the food is. I followed someone along the buffet line and took what they took. I recognized the steamed buns and the hardboiled eggs, nothing else. I was hungry enough to eat most of it. The only things to drink were hot milk, and a hot orange coloured vaguely sweet drink. Since I don’t like hot milk, I had the orange drink.
I took a taxi and went to Wangfujing Street, which is a famous market street. Many years ago I had a suit made here and I wanted to go back to the same tailor and get a coat. In spite of many changes along the street, I was able to find the store, and to my surprise, they still had a file on me! The coat is a little expensive, but a lovely combination of cashmere and wool. Back next week for a fitting and it will be done 3 days before I leave.
It was a spectacular day – clear blue skies and no pollution. Perhaps because it is very windy? It was a fabulous day for walking, about 3 degrees and windy. The sun was shining and there was even an occasional bird making bird noises in the trees. Although people here think it is very cold, and are bundled in various puffy garments, the leaves are still on the trees.
The biggest change that I notice compared with previous visits to Beijing is how many fewer bicycles there are. When I have been here before, it was difficult to cross the street because of the tide of cyclists bearing down from all directions. Now there is a relative trickle. There are more scooters and motorcycles, but not nearly as many as there were bicycles. I wonder what the change is? More cars? More public transit? It’s certainly not because of less people.
Many people on scooters have a quilt with sleeves in that they use to protect themselves from the cold. It seems to work by draping it over your chest and the front of your legs, and then putting your arms in the sleeves to drive the motorcycle or bicycle. It made me smile to see a well-dressed elderly gentleman progressing down the street draped in his Hello Kitty quilt.