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