The previous post is Enroute to Beijing (May 30).
The next post is Beijing (June 01).

Beijing (May 31) · Jun 6, 10:35 PM

We arrived on time at 15:18. Nick and I clambered with our bulky, space-consumingly awkward packs to Tienanmen looking for the English-language Beijing Tourist Map. He walked North from the square to his hostel on Wangfujing; I walked East and South to the Far East International Youth Hostel. It’s bigger and more upscale than Leo’s. The location is similar, but not as good. I paid for two nights then went for a walk through the surrounding hutong — very laid back here. I stopped on the street for kebabs and a fresh-grilled pita baked with pork and onions and slathered with oil. Outside the hostel I saw with three Irish kids drinking 2 RMB beer — inside the hostel that same bottle would cost 10 RMB. Simon and Jen showed up; they have a local contact who provided intel on an imperial cuisine restaurant offering 200 RMB set-course dinners. I’m interested.

Later — it’s dark now — I went online to send a couple emails to the T98 group. We are trying to organize a trip to the wall on Friday, but we’re scattered across Beijing in four hostels, and no-one has a cell phone. If it weren’t for the email and internet, this is what the dark ages must have been like.

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