Today is the official “turn off the heat day” in Beijing (March 16). The heat everywhere goes off. Beijing has been in a warming trend with lows around 32 F, and highs in the upper 50’s/low 60’s. The only heat we’ve had on in our apartment all winter is in the two bathrooms, only because we couldn’t turn it off. It gets so hot in here, with lots of windows and sun exposure. I open windows whenever I can (if the pollution isn’t too bad).
I have a new experience scheduled for the day. I’m going to the Embassy of the Republic of Vietnam to get visas for our trip in two weeks. I’m going in the afternoon when our ayi comes in. First, I go over to the wet market for fresh fruits and vegetables. I’m making soup for tonight’s dinner. After cleaning everything up, I go to the pool for my swim session. After swimming, I dress for traveling, with plans for the embassy, and the table tennis club if I feel like it.
The embassy isn’t too far from the Silk Market, so I walk over to Taiyanggong Station, and get on board. I hate the long transition at the Guomao Station from Line 10 to Line 1, but I need the exercise. In the Silk Market, I find a place that sells kite reels. I bought a kite yesterday at Panjiayuan and I need a cheap reel & string. After bickering and arguing price, I eventually get what I need. Now, it lunchtime, and Tim’s Texas BBQ is between here and the embassy. Isn’t that convenient.
After lunch, I walked two blocks over to the Embassy and found the Visa Office. There were about 10 people in various stages of getting their paperwork completed. I filled out the forms, stapled our pics onto the form and got in line. The total cost for the visas for both of us was around $150 USD. That’s the highest we’ve paid for entrance visas to anyplace we’ve visited. I can pick up our passports and visas on Friday. I’ll probably go by on my way home from school.
Outside the embassy, I hailed a taxi and gave directions to the table tennis park. It’s just too pretty not to get out and enjoy it. I’m always apprehensive as I walk in, never sure if I’ll get a chance to play. I end up playing with 4 different players over two hours. When I finally head home, I’m beat.
Back at the apartment, I start putting together the soup. It’s after 7:30 before Judy gets home. She has so many details to organize and put in place for her many different grade levels, she can’t get away. We finally enjoy dinner (I’m getting good at this soup thing), and catch up on each other’s day.