It’s the last week before we head back to the US. Judy has one last assembly on Friday, and then school is out after lunch. She’ll probably spend the afternoon putting away all the holiday stuff, and then head home for final packing. She has a couple of possible evening activities planned with some of the teachers (depending on her energy level). It’s gonna be a full week.

My school stays in session through December up to January 23. There is a holiday on December 25, and then two days on Jan. 1 & 2. I’ll miss a total of three class days (18^th, 19^th, and 26^th) while we’re back in the US, since they fall on Thursday and Friday (my regular teaching days). It’s always a pain trying to provide class activities when I’m not sure who might be covering the classes.

As we arrived home yesterday I noticed the crown on my new watch was gone, so I’m headed back today to get it replaced. But first, I’m still trying to find a kite market I’ve read about. I took the train down to Panjiayuan station, near the antique market. I show the address to some of the tuk-tuk drivers and they’re all pretty confused. One of them offers to take me, but I’m not convinced he knows anything, so I set off on my own. I walked around several long blocks and eventually stumbled into a big market area. It’s four stories. The first two floors are food, the 3^rd floor is clothing, and the 4^th floor is household items. This is a nicer wet market than several I’ve seen. There is a huge seafood area with large tubs of fish and lobsters. Meat vendors are around the walls. It’s just so interesting watching all the business taking place. It’s not an Albertson’s or a Kroger.

Eventually I give up, and sightsee through the Antique Market for a while. I’ve deduced that maybe it’s not kite selling season. Then it’s back to the Silk Street Market.  They fix the watch quickly and I also end up buying an Omega watch. I offered a ridiculous price (or so I thought), and they eventually settled. As I was leaving, I walked by the stall where I made them so mad yesterday. They spotted me and “if looks could kill”.

I walked up the street to Tim’s Texas BBQ and enjoyed another great lunch. I need to break myself of this habit. After lunch, I debated about taking a long walk to the Russian Market, or heading up the road to a mall area called “The Place”. I elected to visit “The Place” (it was a shorter walk). It’s a really nice upscale mall area with an outside pavilion like downtown Las Vegas. I’d seen it from a distance at night and the lighting is unbelievable. I hope to see it some evening up close, but it probably won’t happen before Xmas.

I made the trek to train station and headed home, stopping to buy milk in the BHG market at Taiyanggong Station. It’s been a while since I’ve walked this much around town, and I’m beat.

One of the Beijing skyline highlights. It’s not that tall, only about 85 floors, or so.