Judy is fired up and ready for school today. With all her major projects finished up, she’s ready to settle down to teaching. Saturday is BISS “International Day” and all the grade levels are performing. She’s been getting all the preparations in place, and this is the week it all comes together. It’s the last major performance for the year.

I’ve been getting restless. I’ve completed most of my class prep for the rest of the year. All I have on my plate is grocery shopping and swimming.

I decide it’s time to pursue another hobby. Since table tennis is the #1 sport in China, I figure this is great time to develop my own game. I’m not that good, but I can beat a few people (mainly my son and my brother). I need a racket/bat/paddle, and I’ve found a sporting goods store where I can purchase one.

After I get on the train, I decide to detour on a sightseeing trip. There are several places Judy has visited on BISS trips that I haven’t seen. I’m also scouting some weekend trips for the two of us. I take the train to Behai Park. It’s a really large park with a big lake. There are lots of small rental boats on the lake.

View from the north end of the lake

Battery powered “Tulip Boats”

The gentlemen had a speaker set-up, and was “conducting” this lady in a song as I walked up (check out the baton in his hands).

I think he’s trying to sell his songbook. The music on the large page is written in the Chinese simple notation.

After walking through the park. I walk out and across the street to Jingshan Park. It’s another beautiful park with the highlight being the tall hill in the center. It’ overlooks the Forbidden City, but also has a great view of the rest of the city. Unfortunately, there are many stairs. It’s a real hike to the top, but the view is worth it! I’ve posted a link to a short movie below.

After leaving the park, I hire a rickshaw for a ride to the sporting goods store in Wangfuging (one of the main shopping areas in Beijing). I make my purchase of a racket (the official name), and the rubber surfaces that are glued to the racket. There is a huge selection available. I walk out fully “geared up” and ready to tear up the table tennis world (or vice versa).

I finish the outing with a train trip to the Marriott for a swim session, and then home. We catch a couple of “Lost” episodes and then hit the sack.