Jan. 31

My third day in China and I have landed a job and a place to live. I was really enjoying the homeless traveling gig but am grateful for these opportunities. And glad to give Matt a break from putting me up on his sofa.



Come March I'll be working with a couple of Chinese folk from the U.S. who are attempting to bring wilderness therapy to China. Yesterday I met the director of the company and after visiting the brand new empty offices and eating hot pot 火锅 at the swankiest restaurant I've ever set foot in, he left me at a subway station. A very intelligent and seemingly genuine man, I feel lucky to have a job with people I've met and feel confident in, especially after hearing some horror stories from other foreigners looking for work. Over dinner he gave me a lot of advice, including when and how to travel, and that frozen dumplings are a delicious and cheap way to eat. He also spoke a lot about Beijing's development and how quickly it's all happened. Our restaurant was at the top of a mall filled with brand-name stores: Chanel, Boss, Prada, etc. 那么 Glamorous!

Mid morning I moved my pack from Matt's to the new apartment. Only two subway stops away, I splurged and took a cab for 12 yuan. (About $1.50 U.S.) Located in the 'Gemdale International Garden', the flat is on the 17th floor of the east tower. With three other buildings plus sports courts and greenery, the complex takes up an entire city block. Security is strict and I have the impression there are a lot of other foreigners here. A three bedroom, two bath unit, my current base is gorgeous. Everything is new and stylish and reminds me of places I've seen in Manhatten. I'll be joined in March by the director and U.S. visionary. Until then, I have the place to myself.



The Gemdale is located in the central business district between the third and fourth rings on the east side of Beijing. A city of around 15 million people, 北京 is set up on a grid system of five concentric circular roads with the Forbidden City at the center. Once home to the emperors and their courts, the Forbidden City is now partly occupied by the party and mostly by tourists. I visited twice when I was here in 2004 and was amazed by the architecture and lifestyle of those who once inhabited its walls. Definitely a worthwhile trip.

So far my impression of Beijing is that it's a city. I'm mightily impressed with the modernity of this metropolis. I think of walking around New York or Chicago before I think that I'm in a foreign country. Here there are the incredibly fashionable women in heeled boots with elaborate hair, the black dressed business men with laptop cases, the homeless folk pushing bikes full of treasure. And every single person is so different. I'm not sure where the idea that all Chinese people, or even all Asians as some say, look the same, but it couldn't be further from the truth.

Since I don't start work until March, I have month to 玩 or play, as the translation would be. The Chinese New Year is next wednesday and is a major holiday, so I won't be traveling away from the city until after; it is almost impossible to get train tickets now.

So I'm sitting on this new sofa, watching T.V. on a mega screen and trying to follow the news. Talking to a man in a small subway side shop today, he said I didn't look like an American, since they are usually tall and wide. He also said that Chinese people can't drink Coca-Cola, or they also get very wide. I had some of my first street food today, a sort of egg/pork/veggie potpie. 非常好吃的！