Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Beijing - last day

This morning I went on a private tour of the Bird's Nest And the Water Cube. As usual I had a driver, a guide and a student to escort me and see I behave. The Olympic Village is not very interesting from inside - the Bird's Nest is just a stadium, the Water Cube just a bunch of swimming pools... So I asked if we could stop at a market to try and spend some money. They took me for a market frequented by students (close to a few universities) which was cute and I did manage to buy a couple of things.

From China2009


A few minutes after I came down to the Hotel Lobby to take a last look my student-escort ran up to me very upset as I had disappeared from my room and she wanted me to eat lunch. My excuse of not being hungry was no answer so we compromised on me going to the hotel restaurant with her. I did manage to leave there without eating - I think that when I told her Avi will be back just before we are to leave for the airport confused her enough she let me escape.

Avi arrived, we did grab a bite, said our farewells and wanted to get into the limo and go. That is when Amy realized that our oil portraits have not arrived yet and she would not let us go. The photographer was there too and kept talking on his phone to the courier and reassuring us that they will arrive "in 5 minutes". We finally put our foot down and the compromise was that the courier will chase us to the airport.

Our escort informed us a few minutes before arriving that the courier should arrive soon so we waited on the shoulder... the few minutes stretched to almost 10 at which point we insisted we cannot wait anymore. That was a good thing as they let us off at Terminal 2, told us to check in and they will join us soon, hopefully with the pictures. But it was the wrong terminal... Back into the limo, many excited cell conversations (all Chinese to us) and 10 minutes later we arrived at Terminal 3, ran in, checked-in our luggage, and........... the driver ran in with 3 huge bags - a portrait of Avi, a portrait of me, and a portrait of the two of us, all in heavy golden frames... Each was in its own bag but of course they could not be checked in so we hurried to the gate dangling the bags and wondering if they will fit in the security x-ray machine. Alas, they did. We got to the gate very late and thirsty, but had an uneventful flight, slept well, ate not very well, and finally got home with the pictures intact!

From China2009


Was great to see Yuval, and now it is time to plan the next trip (India in December).

From China2009

Beijing - Day 3

From China2009


There were 5 of us on the tour - Ruth (accompanied by her wheelchair), MaryJo, Joan, Sylvia and myself. The ride to the Badaling section of the Great Wall took about an hour and a half, and when we arrived I realized this is the same section we climbed in 2001. And the same restrooms, with the same smell, the same store and I was afraid that it will be the same restaurant with a memorably bad lunch. We started climbing, and some of us stopped and turned around after a while. The weather and visibility were perfect, but it was terribly crowded as the opposite section (the harder one which we climbed last time) was closed due to a visit of some Leaders. (The procession of black-windowed black cars reminded Ruth & me of similar caravans in Jerusalem). Most of the tourists were Chinese, and in fact a few were so excited to see Westerners that they asked Sylvia & me to pose for photos.

From China2009


From China2009


Finally we two also had to turn around so that Sylvia makes it down on time to transfer to the car which picked her up and drove her to the airport. The rest of us went back on the bus and went to a most amazing spa-hotel (http://www.commune.com.cn/en/) for lunch. The food was excellent and I was so relieved not to have to see the other place's food again.

From China2009



After that we continued to the Ming Tombs which were as I remembered them. By then our small group had formed tight connections and we spent the whole afternoon and evening giggling and joking - everybody was having a great time.

From China2009


From the Ming Tombs we went back to Beijing directly to The National Center for the Performing Arts, which is a most amazing building. The problem was that we arrived around 5:30 when it was still closed and we knew that the conference participants would not get there before 7 or so. They let us go in and sit in the private dining hall, and we understood that we will be served a fancy dinner before the performance (in fact they wanted us to eat immediately but we rebelled and said we will wait for the others). That was a bit puzzling as it was to start at 7:30 and the schedule seemed too tight. They did arrive around 7:10, we ate and were ushered into the performance hall a bit late. The performance was by the Stuttgart Ballet and very beautiful, as was the venue itself. But everybody was very tired and decided on another rebellion during the second break. This caused some confusion but finally the bus was summoned and we were all safely deposited back in the hotel.

From China2009

Monday, October 12, 2009

Beijing - Day 2

First a follow-up to the photos - seems like the photographer is also an oil painter and everybody will be presented with an oil portrait based on the photos. Cannot wait!

The day started with pomp & circumstance at the opening ceremony - huge posters of all the speakers, they all got an orchid boutonniere for their jacket lapels (slight problem - Avi was wearing a polo shirt, no jacket so that looked even sillier on him), and were marched down to their seats to wild applause. Some dignitaries spoke in Chinese, some others in English and the poor translator had to keep it all straight.

From China2009


From China2009



So Sylvia and I decided to go to the Pearl Market, and tiptoed out of the room. We were detained immediately by the students who were assigned to us and it took quite an effort to convince them that we are old enough to take a cab and that they should stop worrying. We agreed to a curfew of 1:15pm when we were to get on the bus for the tour of the Lama Temple, and were finally let go. Sylvia is certain we got them into trouble by not sticking to the plan.

The market was fun as always and we bought a few things. Got back to the hotel on time for a quick lunch and a summary of what we missed during the rest of the opening exercises and then went on the tour.

When we got there I realized I had visited the temple already, but it was nice nonetheless. Lots of Buddha statues in various sizes, poses and specialties (health, wisdom, finances etc.) living in pretty temples.



The evening festivities were a very long dinner with live entertainment - singing, dancing, taichi, sword dances etc. Did not make for good dinner conversation as we were very close to the stage... We went out with an Israeli postdoc after that to a nice part of town with bars and shops in a spruced up hutong. Was interesting to hear his perspective of living for 3 years in China.

Today the ladies are going to the wall and the Ming tombs. We'll meet the others at the Opera for dinner and a Chinese Opera performance - will probably be a better variation of last night's entertainment... oh well.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Beijing

We had the funniest experience tonight. As expected, a student and a driver waited for us at the airport and delivered us to the hotel. The assistant manager deposited us in our room (very fancy & large), and then came back a few minutes later to take us to be photographed. We were slightly puzzled. Anyway - we were brought to a photography studio in the hotel and were told that our photos will be taken separately and also jointly. More puzzlement. The photographer, who spoke no English but was clearly a very artisitic type started out by throwing a fit at the fact that Avi was wearing a t-shirt and not a jacket. But after he understood that that is all Avi has, he started seeing the potential in his unusual face and in his clowning around. So he took something like a 100 shots (seriously) of Avi in all kinds of poses ranging from Rodin's The Thinker to Avi making silly faces. It was completely hilarious. Then I had a session too (only 30 photos or so, with my glasses at an angle and holding them in my hand in a pensive pose), and finally he positioned us in all kinds of loving embraces. He promised to give us copies tomorrow and we ended the evening with his assistant taking photos of all 3 of us together. We had to sign releases allowing him to use our photos and I bet Avi's will be centrally positioned in his advertising.

Hong Kong - Day 2

Andrej suggested we go visit the Big Buddha (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian_Tan_Buddha) which lives on a mountaintop very close to the airport. This was a marvelous idea - we left the suitcases at the airport, took a bus to the base of the mountain and then took the cable car up to the mountain. It's a very long (5.7 km each direction) and beautiful ride (http://np360.com.hk/html/eng/front/index.asp) . Because we were in a bit of a hurry we bought the more expensive tickets for the glass-floored cars. That was marvelous - not only was the view beautiful but looking down at the top of the trees on the mountain was quite an unusual view. And the Buddha itself (very young - was completed in 1993) is one of the best we have seen, and we have seen quite a few!

From China2009


From China2009


Had a very nice Italian meal at the airport before saying goodbye to Andrej and heading for the business lounge. Have to board in a few minutes.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Hong Kong

The flight over was very uneventful - and flying business has its advantages - the food is decent and I slept for about 9 hours. Turns out I slept way too well and have very unusual jetlag since.

Andrej waited for us at the airport (very modern and beautiful) and we took a bus to the suburb where he lives. A 30 minute ride on the top of a double decker bus gave us a great preview of the HK sights.

Yesterday morning we started in Kowloon from which we took a ferry to HK Island. Everything is very clean and an interesting mixture of Chinatown with a very modern downtown. In fact, probably more of the latter. They build very tall buildings which allow them to keep lots of green spaces in between. It is very refreshing to see a lot of green so close to 60 story buildings.

We ate some very nice and authentic dim sum followed by coffee (different place obviously) and then walked to the funicular which took us up to the peak - a very steep mountain which towers above the City with breathtaking views. The haze had almost burnt off by then and everything was beautiful. We walked around the peak on a 2km long circular path and enjoyed every minute.

From China2009


From China2009


Back in the city we took a subway and met up with Andrej's girl friend Maggie. Had some tea, browsed a few markets, and then went for dinner to a very authentic seafood restaurant.

We were quite surprised to learn how separate HK is from China - they totally run their own affairs and in fact mainlanders need visas to visit HK! It's also much more expensive than China - electronics in particular seem to have prices not far off from those in the US.

Finally a bus back to Andrej's place - we both kept falling asleep there and a shower and bed were most welcome.

A few more hours in HK today (will probably go up to visit the large Buddha by the airport and off to Beijing!

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Off Tomorrow

Another China trip - very quick this time - 2 days in Hong Kong, 2.5 days in Beijing. More to follow...