Two Ordinary Days

When we were in the States this summer, many people asked what an average day was like for us living in Beijing. I took several photos of ordinary things last week on Sunday and Monday, and I hope you feel like you are here with us.

We took the subway to visit a new meeting place on Sunday morning.

Our walk from the station was lined with pink, blue and purple morning glories.

Almost there. A train track is on our right, apartment buildings on the left.

A local gathering. We sang Amazing Grace and I Surrender All among other lovely songs.

We were in an area with a lot of International businesses and universities, so there was a Burger King nearby. We decided to go there for lunch.

After going home, R and I decided to get some exercise. We biked along AnLi Road to reach the entrance of Olympic Park.

In the park the water lilies have yellow blossoms, and everything is still bright green.

Here we are on one of the paths through the park.

Monday morning after R left for school and the kids started their school day at home,  I walked to the post office to pay our water bill. Our water meter is read by a lady from inside of our apartment. On her handheld computer she prints out our bill and hands it to us before she leaves. This time our bill for three months was only $10 (US) since we were out of town for several weeks. Usually it is around $25-30.

 

On my way back from the Post Office I stopped at this produce stand where I bought six large potatoes, a head of lettuce, two large carrots and a bag of apples. The total cost was around $5. I gave the worker exact change, and he said, "Wow, your Chinese is very fluent!" If only....
I also went to the grocery store and bought the rest of the things I would need to make twice-baked potatoes and a green salad for dinner.

The day was sunny and breezy so I washed all of the sheets and hung them up to dry near the open windows. It takes around four loads to wash all of our sheets in my little machine. I don't have a dryer, but on a day like this things air dry really quickly. Here the wind is catching a fitted sheet like a sail. The smell of fresh laundry and baking potatoes filled the house.

Kate and Victor came for dinner. Twice-baked potatoes are Victor's favorite.
We had a great time talking with Victor and Kate after not seeing them for a long time. I found out that Kate's grandpa and my dad are the same age and both served during the Korean War (just not on the same side). 

Kate brought these lovely sunflowers that adorned our table for a full week.