I've been at the beach for a nice vacation before we all move back to Beijing. It has been great to see everyone - 7 weeks is way too long to be apart.

The days have been full of sun and surf. The ocean is flat as a pancake today though so it will be a recovery day.

Everything appears to be set for our trip back on the 9th. Now - off to the beach to work on my tan ....

The 798 District

P7170108
Originally uploaded by cincimakers

The last few days have been frankly tough. I've been living in a hotel for over a month and bottom line am a bit worn out and miss the family. I head back to the States on Monday tho so things will be looking up.

Today, I debated whether to just hang in my hotel room or venture out. I decided to head out and boy am I glad that I did!

I went to the 798 District - an area devoted to contemporary art galleries, art shops, and cafes. I have been to art districts before but nothing like this. Imagine 10-20 city blocks filled will alleyways and every alleyway filled with (mostly) free galleries. On top of that, put many working artists shops, nice cafes, and a kick ass vegetarian lunch for under $3.

In the 60's - this was the Bauhaus of Beijing. It has lost its anti-establishment vibe and is not bohemian like it used to be but is pretty darn amazing in my book. Supposedly the "real" artist area has moved out of the city - shall visit that someday as well. However, as an art tourist, I think this was perfect.

This is the kind of place you could spend days and days and still not see it all. Definitely will be heading back for multiple visits.

A few things I saw are at the link below. Most are statues as many galleries did not allow photos. Much much much more to see than I captured here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30443412@N08/sets/72157624395180219/

North Face Store - Beijing

North Face Store - Beijing
Originally uploaded by cincimakers

Didn't have time today but I am SO doing this - the North Face store in Beijing has an indoor ice climbing wall!

Pink Lambourghini

Pink Lambourghini
Originally uploaded by cincimakers

Today, I saw another side of Beijing - the mega rich side. I went downtown to the English book store/cafe - right across the street from a big mall. While walking to the mall I came across this mildly nice car - a pink Lambourghini. A pretty sweet ride.

The mall is more of a super nice shopping plaza with most stores outside. Apple, North Face, Columbia, Sbucks, Addidas, Doc Marten - they all had shops there (and many more). Prices were pretty reasonable as well - similar to back home. Had a delicious fresh squeezed watermelon juice too.

China is really a land of have and have nots right now - the divide is amazingly large. Gives you a bit of cultural whiplash sometimes.

Mountains in Beijing

Mountains in Beijing
Originally uploaded by cincimakers

When I think of Beijing, I think of a pancake flat city full of old Chinese stuff and a ton of pollution. Reality is a bit different - there is plenty of old Chinese stuff and it is polluted some times but many days the weather is beautiful and the sky blue. We have had hot but great weather for the past week.

Also, while the city is flat, 1-2 hours outside of the city are rings of mountains. One of the guys at work takes his son hiking and exploring on a regular basis. From what I hear, it is really beautiful.

The Great wall of China runs through these mountains. Especially cool for hiking is the areas of the wall that have not been rebuilt for tourist purposes. These are supposed to be amazing - you can walk (carefully) on the crumbling wall in complete solitude. Cannot wait to go.

Bicycle man

Bicycle man
Originally uploaded by cincimakers

From my walk around the music street - Xin Jie Kou - these bicycle repair guys are everywhere.

First days in beijing

Well - time for my first post. I have been thinking that this will be a good way to share my adventures, thoughts, and feelings as I move to Beijing with the family. Seems this is a good way to go.

I have been here for a week and have two more to go this trip. So far, it has been a whirlwind of jet lag, work, and sorting out life. I am living in a hotel for the next two weeks so am really stuck in transition. It is a nice hotel, but will be a relief to be into the house in August. But for now - the Crowne Plaza. I'll be back to the states for a few weeks in the end of July and then we all move over in early august.

Yesterday, I went to the city to walk around and just get out of the hotel - it was a nice afternoon. Had a great meal, found the music street in Beijing (25 or so stores full of guitars, cellos, violins, and other instruments), and got lost in the hutongs (old alley towns in the middle of Beijing). By the end of the day, I was happy but exhausted. It was fun and an adventure but until my Chinese gets better, normal things like walking around the city will take more energy than usual. It will be nice to share things with Kimberly and Lucas - company certainly makes these things into adventures.

Today is a rest day - reading, working on a new song, and dinner with a friend. Tomorrow - back to the week!