I took the metro to Panjiayuan market yesterday morning with Caroline.
Alternative modes of transportation abound (but do nothing for the quality of the air!).
These two were walking just outside the walls of the market.
I saw a couple of bowls that I liked. Caroline bargained easily in Chinese, talking shop with the vendors, dropping their prices as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I picked my jaw off the floor, packed the bowls into my bag, and off we went to meet Hedi for lunch. We had traditional Chinese hot pot. Just what the doctor ordered on the coldest day yet.
After lunch we went to the Forbidden City.
The changing of the guard.
Caro was tired and went home to get some rest while I had tea with Hedi in a garden next to the Forbidden City. After extracting directions from our very quiet hostess, we walked towards the theatre district.
We went through the back lanes to catch a glimpse of the (rapidly disappearing) hutongs.
Caroline woke up just in time to join us for an amazing acrobatics performance.
We had dinner and then cabbed down to Sanlintun looking for a place to dance. The place we went to was packed and the music was too loud and noone wanted to go there, so we opted for the Hidden Trea, an expat favourite, which was much more subdued. The Dutch owner was super friendly and handed out free Dutch beer (La Mere Noel), and noisemakers and confetti. We were all tired from our day but very happy to be together in Beijing. We had a few drinks and celebrated with the other guests. Happy New Year!
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