Beijing: Expect the Unexpected.

By Sara Hogan
July 20 2008

Ni hao and greetings from Beijing! We have been here for two weeks now, and I can finally say that I'm settled in and ready to enjoy this city. Coming here and getting acquainted with the Chinese culture was difficult at first, but after figuring out where things are, especially a western food store, it is easier to just sit back and take in everything Chinese.

Of course, we have already seen the major tourist sights such as the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, and the Summer Palace. However, we have also been able to check out a side of China that many tourists don't really see: area housing, supermarkets, local health centers. Right now, we are able to spend our free time doing whatever we want. Mostly, it is spent on going to different areas of Beijing, going shopping, running and eating.

Still not yet checked off on my to-do list:  visit the Beijing Zoo, spend time at the Beijing Amusement Park, and of course, travel to Xi'ian, home of the terra cotta warriors.