First Few Days

Three full days in Beijing! Here is a summary of what has transpired:

We arrived with all of our 16 suitcases, and our friends met us with smiling faces and a mini-bus to take us to our temporary apartment. Our neighborhood is about 30 minutes south of the airport.




The elevator in our current building skips floors 4, 13, 14 and 24 because the number 4 is considered unlucky. They leave out number 13 just in case.




Riding bikes is not as scary as I thought it would be. We rode to the bank and to get SIM cards for our phones on our second day here.

Our first social call was to Justin and Nicole's place, a short subway ride away. They were both raised as MKs in the Philippines and have been here for 6 months. Nicole makes amazing chocolate chip cookie bars.

My son borrowed a bike and went out for a ride around the neighborhood. By himself. In China. He can't wait to get his own bike.

Out of the five apartments we went to see, one was perfect for us and was still available. Earlier this evening we signed the rental agreement and will move in on the 14th. Seventh floor, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, fully furnished (and I really like the furniture), in our price range, great location close to shopping and subway. (Building pictured to the right) Our landlords are very kind and seem happy to have us as renters. They speak a little English, but for the most part we were spectators at the meeting to sign the paperwork. So thankful for M&C who are helping us so much! I tried to tell the woman that my kids would have loved to meet her 4-year-old son, but I think I may have offered to have I&A watch him sometime.





We ate tiny fried shrimp with the tails and heads still on. Eyes and everything. Rodney can wash things down with Coke Zero, so he is content.

The B's are also looking for a new apartment. I went along with C today, and one of the people helping us was a young intern whose English name is Julie. She was excited to practice her English with me, I practiced my Chinese with her, and by the end of the afternoon she had linked her arm in mine as we walked. I tried to ask Julie how many days of the week she works, but accidentally asked her how much money she makes! That's when I learned that she is an intern just for a month and doesn't get paid. She seemed tickled to meet someone who was a real "housewife." She had heard of people like me, but I am the first one she had met.