We have a slow start to our Saturday, relaxing, and catching up on random computer jobs. We also take to time to make sure we have appropriate clothes for the BISS Christmas Party tonight. With our work finished and clothing decisions made, we head out to the Hongqiao Pearl Market. I’ve visited before, but this will be Judy’s first visit. This is also the site for the Tianle Toy Market, next door.

The Pearl Market and the Toy Market

We had a great visit, finding some fun toys for nieces and nephews (at least fun for us). It’s crazy the things available for kids to play with these days. As with any Chinese market, some bargaining has to take place. I have to constantly run currency conversion numbers in my head so we don’t pay too much. I used to worry about insulting vendors with low prices, but I’ve decided it’s part of the game between buyer and seller. When we head home, my mindset has shifted from gift selection and pricing, to “how do we pack this stuff to get it home”.

Back home, it’s time to get ready for the Xmas party. We meet the bus to the party at the UHN gate, along with 10 other BISS UHN residents. As we get close to the restaurant, the traffic is terrible, and the trip takes almost an hour. Our apartment is the last stop before the restaurant.

The party is at a restaurant called “Mango”, located in the Russian section of town. The chef is the husband of one of the BISS teachers. She’s Ukranian, but I’m not sure of the nationality of her husband. We never saw him. He was too busy cooking. The food was really good, with roast chicken, roast pig, grilled vegetables, so many other great foods.

I was not aware there was such a vibrant “Russian” scene in Beijing. There’s a huge section near this restaurant with stores and shops with Russian writing (instead of English) along with the Chinese writing. Apparently many of the Chinese workers in this part of town speak Russian. Later in the evening the restaurant begins to fill up with Eastern European patrons, and you can hear Russian spoken everywhere you turn. There were a few “water pipes” in use at a couple of nearby tables. That’s not a standard item seen at a “Texas Roadhouse” in DFW.

After dinner, we’re treated to a Cuban floor show with singers and dancers. There’s lots of salsa, and eventually the BISS faculty begins to join in on the dancing. What a group!   It’s another one of those nights that I find myself shaking my head at where we are and what we’re doing. It’s a blast!