The big news of the day……..we finally were able to complete our temporary residence registration.  It took about 45 minutes after we arrived at the police station.  It’s always a huge relief when we complete that job.  The clerks are not overly friendly.

Judy received a late invitation today to a baby shower that’s tomorrow.  Her name had been inadvertently left off the list of the invitees.  On our way home from the police station, we stop at Capita Mall and do a little baby shower shopping.  Judy finds a great gift, and we head home.  Back at the apartment, Judy starts talking about wanting to go see some of the Lantern Festival celebrations.  She heard there was some kind of a display at Sanilitun, so we head back out and grab a taxi.  It’s a really busy night since it’s the last night of the Lunar New Year Festival, the Lantern Festival, and Valentine’s Day.  Traffic is really jammed.

When we get to Sanlitun, we wander around looking for the display, but it’s not to be found.  We settle for some good old burgers, fries, and potato skins.  It works for me. 

We noticed some pretty heavy fireworks as we drove to Sanlitun.  As we head home, they’re even heavier.  Back at the apartment, fireworks are everywhere.  We get surprised a few times when fireworks go off on the sidewalk as we walk by.  There are 8 or 9 gate guards at the apartment, but they’re all out by the street watching the activities.  I’m not sure what there assignment was.  Maybe they were in charge of fire control.  From our apartment window, it’s an amazing sight.  Fireworks are everywhere on the horizon.  Unbelievable!!!!  It’s something to see.  It goes on for hours. This is much heavier than what we observed back on Oct. 4^th.  Fun times!

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.

I felt like I wasted today.  Judy left on time, and I slowly took care of my usual morning duties.  I had three jobs on my radar today, groceries at Metro, swimming, and registering for our temporary residence permit after our return from Thailand (govt. requirement).

I decided to walk to Metro first for the grocery shopping.  It’s cold, (-3° C), but the wind isn’t blowing, so it’s not too bad.  I made the mistake of going when I was hungry.  The cardinal rule of grocery shopping is not to go when you’re hungry, and I was starving.  I came home with cookies, ice cream,, and several different types of nuts.  I also found some sliced jellyfish, but decided I already had more than I could carry.

How about a little sliced jellyfish?

When I got home, I unloaded the groceries, and began sampling all the bad stuff.  Then I decided a nap would help give me the energy I needed for my swim.  When I finally got up, I sat down at the computer to check on a few things, and before I knew it, I had run out of time to go to the pool.  Darn!

Judy was coming home early today, around 4:30, so we could go over to the police station to register for our temporary residence permit, after returning from Thailand.  We taxied over, arriving about 4:45, drew a number, and began to wait.  There was a crowd.  I guess everyone who went out of town for the New Years Holiday needed to register, and there was only one clerk working.  The office was supposed to close at 5:30, but it was 5:50 when she finally got to us.  We were the only people left, and she had seen us standing near her window while she worked through the others in front of us.  She muttered something, pointed at the door, and began to turn off her computer.  I played dumb for a while, but she walked out of her office into the lobby, unplugged a couple of things, and pointed at the door again, telling us to leave in Chinese (I think).  We didn’t get registered.  It’s going to require another trip.  How fun!  I’m thinking we might have been racially profiled.

By the time we came out, it was near dusk, and really cold.  There were no taxis around.  It took us 10 minutes to finally get one.  By the time we got back to the apartment, we were in need of all the junk food I had purchased earlier.

Back to work today for Judy.  It’s an “Annie” rehearsal day.  They begin at 9:00 and end at 1:00.  It’s a really productive rehearsal.  They finally had a chance to run the entire musical.  There is lots left to do, but there always is.

I worked on class planning, and then went over to the Marriott to swim.  After the Annie rehearsal, Judy met me at the Marriott for lunch.  I’ve got a 50% discount card for meals in Marriott restaurants throughout Asia.  It’s nice to get to use it.  The food is usually really good.

I knew we weren’t through with our purchases at the Flower Market after yesterday’s visit.  We needed a vase, and what better place to find one than right back at the Flower Market.  We were able to see much more of the place today.  The section for live plants and flowers is really big.  There’s also a huge section full of vendors selling fish tanks and fish, rabbits, and several other rodents that I wasn’t sure what they were.  There was even a big tarantula type spider, busy eating a cricket.

We found the vase we needed, and also a few more of the stem type items to add to what we purchased yesterday.  We’re in business now.  Back home, we get everything put together and find a place for it.  I know it’s very dry here, but the water is evaporating out of the fountain really fast.  The added moisture to the apartment may be an added benefit I hadn’t expected.

We’ve decided to go to the Dragonfly Resort today, and get a massage.  It snowed a little more last night, so we spent time debating how badly we wanted to go out.  We decided to brave the cold and the slush.  I went to Dragonfly back in November and walked away hurting.  I didn’t hurt quite as much today.  Judy actually came out feeling really good.  I’m always surprised how the masseuse can find the muscles that are the most sensitive, and then keep working on it, while I try to act like it’s no problem.

After the massage, we ate at Fatburger, a burger chain based out of Las Vegas.  It was a nice slice of the US.  While we ate, Judy was talking about finding a few decorating items for the apartment.  I knew there was a flower market, near the Marriott, so I took her.  I had never been inside.  It was huge, and much more than a flower market.  There were vendors and shops, silk flowers, live plants and flowers, furniture, and so many kinds of home decorating knick knacks.  Like the other markets in Beijing, there is a marked price, but that’s only a starting point.  We found a nice little fountain to sit on a table in the apartment.  Judy found some colorful plants that will liven up the living room.

We woke up this morning to a very “fogged in” looking day.  I was thinking the smog level must be really high.  Checked the air quality app, and the reading wasn’t that high.  Got up and looked at the street and realized it was snowing.  It wasn’t smog.  This is the first moisture Beijing has seen since August.  It’s a really pretty scene.

Judy hadn’t really noticed yet, but when I told her, she began to worry about catching a taxi on a day like this.  She pushes to be out the door early.  There’s no sense finding out it’s problem, and she’s headed for the street by 6:50.  No problem getting a taxi, and traffic isn’t bad yet either.

I fiddle around the apartment with odds and ends, spending much of my time organizing our iPhoto.  I eventually make it over to the Marriott to swim.  I call Judy after her Annie rehearsal.  She’s beat and ready to come home.  I head back, arriving long before she does.  I have time to cook some pasta and even start eating before she walks in.  She’s not in a “cheery” mood.  It was dark when she left school, and she was by herself.  Walking out of the school was icy and treacherous, and guess what……no taxis!  Several times, someone jumped in front of her when one did stop.  She was whopping mad!!!!  She finally wrangled one, but was ready for a weekend when she got home.  Unfortunately, this weekend she has an Annie rehearsal, so the weekend is only one day.

Many of Judy’s activities at school these days revolves around “Annie”.  The performances are the last week of February.  As one might expect, everyone’s level of concern has been raised, as the performances get closer.  Judy feels like the rehearsals are going well.  As everyone gets better, though, more subtle problems become obvious.  It’s just like getting a piece of music ready for band contest.  As the music cleans up, what once were small issues, become huge.

Here comes the New Years Fireworks Update.  There are not as many big, colorful fireworks around the neighborhood as there were on Tuesday.  However, we had several really big ones tonight, right outside our windows.  These were the closest we’ve had.  I’m going to try and have our iPad set-up and ready to go tonight if we start getting some really close ones.

I’ve got a link below to a “Dropbox” folder containing three different videos of fireworks from Tuesday, Feb. 4.  They should work, especially if you’re using an Apple product (I hope).  Enjoy!

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xyiqpsuctf56y2s/ha1YvuWLR0

Judy is back at the grind of school today.  She’s out of the house, and gets to school really smoothly.  We had heard that Beijing emptied out for the New Year’s Holiday.  I couldn’t believe it would be so obvious, but they were right.  There’s no traffic, anywhere!  Even the 3^rd Ring Road. is always stop and go, but there are very few cars traveling today.  Most of the intersections that have been jammed in the past are almost ghost-like.  It’s really weird.

Everyone must be at home firing off fireworks.  At anytime of the day and early evening, explosions can be heard.  As I walk to the Marriott, there are remnants of fireworks everywhere.  I’m not sure who’s in charge of clean-up, but it’s going to be a big job.

At home in the evening, the fireworks frequency is much lower.  At one point, though, a star shell starts going off right outside our window.  We could see and hear debris hitting the glass.  I posted some pictures below showing the fireworks stand just outside our apartment complex.  One of the pictures shows the different firecracker packages.  There were different sizes of “wheels”.  The largest sold for 300rmb (about $54).  You see people everywhere rolling those out, and setting them off.  There is also a picture of a discarded canister.  These are how they sell the star shells.  It’s all self-contained with one fuse.  They set those things on the ground, light them, and walk away.

Check out the fire extinguishers on the sidewalk!

Stacks and wheels of firecrackers!

A discarded star shell canister. Check out how many tubes there are. I haven’t seen anything like this in Texas or New Mexico.

I’ve taken some video of a “fireworks evening” in our apartment.  As soon as I decide on the best way to post it where others can access it, I’ll let you know.

I’m writing this on Tuesday night.  We finished unpacking, and ran a few errands.  Judy got a haircut, and I went for a swim.  We met up after we finished and taxied over to Sanlitun for a very late lunch (we at a very late breakfast).  We had Mexican food at Cantina Agave.  It wasn’t Santa Fe or Clovis, but it was close enough for us both to agree that it was Mexican food.

After we returned to the apartment, we sat down to do school work.  A few fireworks began to go off in the neighborhood.  As dark approached, the frequency of the fireworks increased. The standard approach to set them off is to walk out into the street, set it down, and light ‘em up.  There are sidewalks, but those don’t seem as popular as the street.  Traffic just keeps rolling by and star shells and mortars are being set off in the traffic lane.  We’re not talking little fireworks.  These are big blasts, and they just keep coming.

When it got dark, the real fireworks began.  We had heard it was crazy, and they weren’t kidding.  Everywhere we look (and from the 25^th floor we can see a long way) there are huge shells blasting off.  One of the favorite activities is to lay down a long string of firecrackers (20 or more feet), and light it.  It blows up for 2 or 3 minutes.  It’s been going on steadily for over three hours, and we’re not sure when it will end.  We’ve seen a few police cars cruising the street, but they’re just watching the fun. 

I’m really interested as to how long this activity continues.  Today is the 5^th day of the Lunar New Year, as declared by the Chinese government, and it’s supposed to be some kind of special day.  I think there are two more “special” days over the next week.  This calls for a little research………tomorrow.  Right now, I’m going to try to get to sleep.  BISS starts classes up again tomorrow.  Everyone’s going to be a little bleary-eyed if this continues too much longer.

We’re up really early, around 4:00 am.  The taxi picks us up at 5:15.  The hotel provided us a breakfast box since we were leaving before the regular breakfast is served.  We arrive at the airport, get checked in, and eat our breakfast.  The airport security was really quick and not nearly as thorough as we’ve become accustomed to.  I’m not sure if I’m glad, or I should be concerned about how lax it was.  I guess I’ll let the airport people run their own airport.

The rest of the flight to Bangkok is quick and painless.  We make the transition to our Beijing flight with a really long walk.  This is a big airport.  We’re on a 747 to Beijing.  Man, it’s a big plane.  The flight is about 4 ½ hours, and it as easy a flight as we’ve had since we began our Asia adventure in July.  Thai Airlines gets a recommendation from us.  Everything at the Beijing airport is smooth.  We’re home 45 minutes after we get off the plane.

We begin the tedious process of unpacking and washing 9 days worth of clothes.  We’ve heard about the fireworks during the Chinese New Year, and we’re experiencing it tonight, while we unpack. Lots of fireworks everywhere we look.  It’s pretty steady.  The last ones I remember, just before I went to sleep at 9:00 pm., were just below our apartment.  They were star shells that went off just below our floor.  This is a little different than my past fireworks experiences.  This is one of the reasons I’m loving living here right now.