2008-02 February Galleries

080219-28 - PUIH & WDK :

080219-28 - PUIH & WDK

Updated: Aug 29, 2008 11:25pm PST

080218 - Hostel Living :

080218 - Hostel Living

Updated: Mar 22, 2008 11:37pm PST

080211 - Visiting Chen Meijuan : Chen Meijuan invited me to her house for lunch and getting there was an adventure in itself! After 6.5 years, I finally met face-to-face with my colleague from the University of Science and Technology of Beijing. She was a great coworker - in charge of liaising between the foreign teachers and the foreign language department. She was like our 'mom' during that year, watching over us, explaining this and that.

080211 - Visiting Chen Meijuan

Chen Meijuan invited me to her house for lunch and getting there was a ...

Updated: Mar 15, 2008 10:49pm PST

080211 - Haidian Qu Food : A sampling of some of the food I've been eating...

080211 - Haidian Qu Food

A sampling of some of the food I've been eating...

Updated: Mar 22, 2008 11:25am PST

080209 - Chengfu Lu (street mugs) : Chengfu Lu is a large 4+ lane road between the 4th and 5th Ring roads of Beijing, China. It runs East to West and is a hub for campus thoroughfare. The Wudaokou subway station marks the busiest spot, and there is always something to see... a nonstop flow of people - workers, students, a few musical beggars, and many street peddlers. Fresh fruit and grilled local treats of meat and tofu are popular items here. I haven't deciphered all the smells yet... some good, others not-so-good. Crossing the main intersection outside my apartment is always an adventure, as nobody minds the pedestrian signals, and cars are often left stranded in the middle of the road long after a light change. International cuisine and shopping malls edge the street perimeter, often with prices that match the West! 7 years ago, none of this was here... just a railroad and an outdoor market. Every time outside is a chance to talk with locals, eavesdrop (and practice listening comprehension), and see how the street culture evolves as holidays subside and seasons begin to change.

080209 - Chengfu Lu (street mugs)

Chengfu Lu is a large 4+ lane road between the 4th and 5th Ring roads ...

Updated: Mar 01, 2008 2:50am PST

080208 - My Neighborhood : There is so much to see out on the streets surrounding the hostel... The contrast of the lingering HuTongs and the rise of the new generation of skyscrapers is incredible. It leaves one inbetween awe and confusion. Beijing has changed so quickly... The government reports 15 million, but the tally is rumored to be close to 20 million. It is a large city, and not stacked as is Hong Kong. I look forward to learning more about Beijing and her well-being.

080208 - My Neighborhood

There is so much to see out on the streets surrounding the hostel... T ...

Updated: Mar 01, 2008 8:54am PST

080207 - PekingUni International Hostel : Alas, my home for the first two weeks in Beijing.

080207 - PekingUni International Hostel

Alas, my home for the first two weeks in Beijing.

Updated: Mar 23, 2008 12:14am PST

080207 - Beijing Looks West : At the PekingUni International Hostel, the view from my window was something to look forward to. I spent the first two weeks at this Beijing hostel... in a city of 15+ million people, I discovered how important the view was from my room. In choosing an apartment, this was one of my primary decision factors - along with location, cleanliness, roommates, and general safety. A room here can feel like a prison cell without a view. The view is also a good weather indicator (yes, I come from the woods!) If I can see the mountains in the distance, and the sky is blue - it means the wind is strong, and it will be cold. A smoggy (or the rare foggy) day means the wind has lost its strength, though the air will feel warmer.

080207 - Beijing Looks West

At the PekingUni International Hostel, the view from my window was som ...

Updated: Mar 14, 2008 10:55am PST

080206 - Beijing Xijiao Hotel : Upon landing in Beijing, and finding no room in the dorms on *my* campus, I end up with a ¥288 room at a hotel just North of campus. It was a steal; due to the New Years celebration (and lack of people in the city of Beijing) they offered a reduced rate from the usual ¥688. It seems contrary to my expectations... but was to my benefit! It was from here that I partook in the New Years celebration of fireworks.. (see other gallery.)

080206 - Beijing Xijiao Hotel

Upon landing in Beijing, and finding no room in the dorms on *my* camp ...

Updated: Feb 13, 2008 11:34am PST

080206 - Beijing New Year : Beijing, People's Republic of China. Fireworks. Fireworks. Fireworks! Fearless. Frigid. Fantastic!

080206 - Beijing New Year

Beijing, People's Republic of China. Fireworks. Fireworks. Fireworks! ...

Updated: Feb 11, 2008 2:14am PST

080205 - Sensoji Temple, 645 AD : Tokyo, Japan. The Sensoji, or Asakusa Konnan, Temple is one of the main attractions of the Asakusa District. I happened upon it on a morning walk... and decided to see what the buzz was...

080205 - Sensoji Temple, 645 AD

Tokyo, Japan. The Sensoji, or Asakusa Konnan, Temple is one of the mai ...

Updated: Feb 10, 2008 6:28am PST

080205 - Nakamise Street, Asakusa : Tokyo, Japan. Nakamise St. is the center of tourist center of attraction in Asakusa Park. Here, hundreds of stalls bare their wares; souvenirs of silk, rayon, and local delectables of sticky rice and sweet-bean.

080205 - Nakamise Street, Asakusa

Tokyo, Japan. Nakamise St. is the center of tourist center of attracti ...

Updated: Feb 13, 2008 9:14am PST

080205 - Khaosan Tokyo Smile Hostel : Tokyo, Japan. Khaosan Tokyo Smile Hostel - a great pit-stop, at ¥2000. Convenient location, clean, friendly, kitchen, wifi. At least half of the people I met here had just quit their job and were taking some time to travel...

080205 - Khaosan Tokyo Smile Hostel

Tokyo, Japan. Khaosan Tokyo Smile Hostel - a great pit-stop, at ¥2000 ...

Updated: Feb 13, 2008 6:08am PST

080205 - Keisei Express Train : Tokyo, Japan. The Keisei Express train moves daily workers between the Narita Airport and downtown Tokyo.

080205 - Keisei Express Train

Tokyo, Japan. The Keisei Express train moves daily workers between the ...

Updated: Feb 13, 2008 9:06am PST

080205 - Asakusa Park : Tokyo, Japan. A brief walking tour of the Asakasa (a•saka•sa) District of Tokyo, Japan. I had scheduled a 2-day layover in Tokyo, but icy runways in Hancock, MI meant a full-day late start to my trip. My itinerary took me on a 1.5hr flight from Hancock, MI (CMX) to Minneapolis (MSP) with a 5-hour layover, then onwards for a 12-hour flight to Narita, Japan (NRT.) 24 hrs later, I flew again (4hr) to Beijing (PEK.)

080205 - Asakusa Park

Tokyo, Japan. A brief walking tour of the Asakasa (a•saka•sa) Dist ...

Updated: Feb 11, 2008 9:26am PST