I'm in Downtown Beijing -- Ask Me Anything

[On the Road]

At an internet cafe next to the train station. Going north tonight on a sleeper train to Daqing, up near the Russian border. What a place!

[Zomby Woof]

1. Are you keeping a journal?

If not, share some impressions here and this can become one!

Enjoy the adventure!

[On the Road]

7. I'm Making Some Notes,

but it's a bit overwhelming. This is Day 4 and the first time seeing a computer since Christmas eve. Thanks for the encouragement on writing.

Beijing is like New York City without rivers. A lot of it's like Queens, some of it's more like eastern Europe, with a bit of Tokyo and Times Square thrown in. The scale of the buildings and streets is incredible -- they don't do anything small here.

It's well below freezing, but the sidewalks are crowded by people without hats and the streets are full of cyclists, a lot of them deliverymen with pedaled flatbeds. Traffic is a mess, and the city is so large it takes at least an hour to get anywhere.

Staying with my girlfriend's relatives. No tourist hotels. It's a real experience.

[haydukelives]

2. hows the weather?

[On the Road]

8. FREEZING!

I hate cold, and it's taking awhile to get used to being outdoors for long periods in sub-zero weather. Even lined leather gloves don't work for more than ten minutes. But so far the weather is clear.

At 5PM (it's 2PM right now), we'll be going to Heilong-Jiang provice, which borders Siberia and where it's 20 or 30 below zero. At least it's warm inside -- they have coal-fired steam heat in all the houses, which are piped under the sleeping areas.

[Gloria]

3. Cool! I listen to Radio China International...it's fun hearing

the profiles of various areas of the country....

[WMliberal]

4. is there a cute redhead named Tara in your cafe?

She's studying abroad and LIVES in the cafes to keep in contact with us in the states.

[On the Road]

10. No Cute Redheads,

although some meltingly beautiful Chinese women.

[DemBones DemBones]

5. Hey, tell us anything! We're listening.

:hi:

[LynzM]

6. What's your favorite thing about travelling there?

I did a bunch of train travel/ internet cafe posting a few years ago, and really loved it.... Enjoy your trip!

[ShinerTX]

9. Oppression?

Does it seem like the people are oppressed there, like some people claim? Or are they happier and more free than we are? What would you say about what it's like to live under communist rule, from what you can see?

[On the Road]

13. I Get No Sense of Oppression

but it's difficult to tell. There are "peace officers" all over the streets, but they're good natured and no one seems to mind.

It really doesn't resemble a statist country like North Korea in any way, shape, or form. It's more like Hong Kong. Everybody's concerned with hustling and making money. The city is in chaos with construction, traffic, and overcrowding, but then so is New York. There's clearly tons of money poring into the city.

The people that you see seem to be generally getting by. Everyone works. Wages are lower, but depending on how you live, prices are much, much lower. You might even be able to live on a dollar a day by eating rice and taking the bus.

The Chinese in general are pretty mellow people. Few political crusaders, despite the Communist Revolution. They're industrious, practical, family oriented, obsessed with education and self-improvement. Obsessive businessmen, fierce negotiators, even fiercer savers and investors. I think they'll take over the world.

[Baja Margie]

11. Wow

How neat! How's the food?

[Lex]

12. Thanks for writing, ribofunk.

I enjoyed reading your observations.

Keep it coming, if you get another chance! :hi:

[On the Road]

14. Goodbye, Everyone!

I'm getting cut off and have to go. I'll post when I get back.

:hi: