These three days have been pretty much the same.  Judy goes to school, works hard, rehearses Annie during the day, and also after school, on Tuesday and Thursday.   I’ve been doing schoolwork, travel and financial planning, and walking back and forth from the Marriott for my daily swimming workout.  We finish off the day, eating dinner (also a little ice cream) and watching an episode or two of West Wing.

The first month in Beijing, I would have given anything to have such a normal schedule.  Everything back then was so “iffy”, because neither of us had comfort in our ability to converse and get things done.  Before we did anything, we had to figure out how we were getting there, and whether or not we had an accurate taxi card or directions from the train.  Once we arrived, could we buy whatever we needed, or would we be left standing and staring. 

Now, I feel like I can get pretty much wherever we need to go, provided I have an address, or can find it on a map.  I can speak enough “taxi talk” (left turn, right turn, etc.) in Chinese, to guide our taxi driver, even if he can’t read or figure out the taxi card.   I’ve figured out how to deal with most sales people, either in stores or the markets to get what we need.  I know where to go to buy our “staples”, and how to get them home.  I know to make sure our water and electricity aren’t going to be shut off.

As I walk to the Marriott everyday, I’m enjoying watching the people around me as they go about their lives.  Since the New Year “work holiday” has ended, the city has begun to get crowded agoin.  Walking across a street can be a little like “Frogger”, wondering from which direction the cars are going to come, and if they’ll slow down.

There are a few things I still want to explore.  I haven’t climbed on a bus yet.  There are no bus routes/schedules in English, and they seem dirty and crowded every time I see one go by.  The teachers I know who have ridden, really like them.  They’re cheap (half the cost of the train), and stops are much closer to most destinations. 

There are several markets I haven’t visited yet.  Each one I’ve visited has been a little different, and there are always so many varied shops and options.  The big lesson I’ve learned in dealing with market vendors is not to bargain price, unless you’re ready to buy.  If they move down to my price, they expect me to buy it.  Walking away at that point is really frowned on.

Fireworks are still going off, all day long.  I saw a big display last night at 10:30pm, about a block from our apartment.  The fireworks stalls are still stocked up and selling.  If I understand the celebration, it’s supposed to end after 15 days, with the Lantern Festival.  It began on January 31, so it should be finished after February 14.

I went to the flower market yesterday to shop for Valentines flowers.  There were 15 vendors selling roses and other fresh flowers.  They were really busy.  Roses are also a way to celebrate the Lantern Festival, so this is an important season for these vendors.  I managed to find half-dozen roses, and a really nice vase, for about 110 rmb ($19), after bargaining over the prices for a while.