A little more about getting to Beijing

We landed fine it is so hazy or smoggy that it is difficult to see across the runway. Once inside the airport it was even hazy inside the airport. Got through the immigration line which took a little bit but they kept people moving. The airport is very large with several different wings. We found out luggage and everything looks like it made it intact. Leaving the airport it looked like there were pulling random people’s luggage out to go through an x-ray scanner. We didn’t get selected so we assume it is just another security check. Leaving the baggage claim we found several people waiting holding signs up with people’s name on it. We found “Linda” holding a sign with our name and the name of the family from KY we are travelling with. She led us outside to a large van big enough for all of us and our luggage.
 
We learned pretty quickly to not look out the front window to watch their driving. Bicyclists and pedestrians do NOT have the right away. They do drive on the same side of the street here. The white lines in the middle of the road are just suggestions. It was about a 30 minute ride to the hotel from the airport but traffic was heavy. On the drive we noticed most of the pine needles are grey and they have “pollution covers” over bushes. Our guide helped us get checked in and showed us how to boil water in the room, since you can’t use it from drinking or brushing your teeth.
We exchanged some money at the hotel and got 1200 RMB from $200. We have no idea if this was a good deal or not. We ventured out with the other couple to an electronics store across the street. We walked through underground walkways to get across the street.  Thank goodness for them, don’t think we would have made it across the street safely without them! The prices were not all that good but we did learn there is room to haggle with them to get a lower price. We ate at the Master Kong Chef’s table and did our first point and order. Kimberly had the Beef Wonton Soup and said it was good. Jason had Beef Curry and Rice and it was also good. Luckily we had been exposed to this type of food before travelling so we knew some things that we liked (thanks Judy). There is a Wal-Mart next to the hotel that we stopped and looked around in. It is only 1 story (underground) and sells mostly grocery store type items. It was fun to browse around and things are much cheaper there than in our mini-fridge in the hotel.

We are very tired and going to bed about 9pm. The room is very warm and the air conditioning doesn’t seem to work. The heavy comforters on the bed don’t help much either but it is un-seasonably warm here.