A Little This, A Little That, A Lotta Shopping

The last few days here in Beijing have been fairly liesurely.  We've spent most our days taking in a sight or two and just taking the evenings easy.  What we've really been doing a lot of however, is shopping.

On Sunday we went to the dirt/weekend market.  It's an antique market/flea market that only takes place on the weekends.  On the one side, is all the sellers with their stuff/antiques spread out on a blanket or matt on the floor.  The "antiques" included broken pieces of porcelin and pottery, vases, trinkets, tea pots, etc.  We had a lot of fun walking around and trying to sift through all the old treasures.  Darren found himself a pretty nice hand knife (he stops everywhere we go to look at swords and knives), and I found (but did not buy) some interesting (not so old) stone "carvings" (see the picture below for clarification).  Surely not what I expected to find amongst traditional jade and wood carvings.  On the other side of the market was actual stalls; an entire section for art and paintings, and a section of your typical nick-nacks- jewellery, 'silk' items, tea pots, chop sticks, etc.  We did find an amazing painting, an actual original compared to some of the mass produced pieces out there.  I was so close to purchasing it, it was expensive (hence the hesitation) and when I went back, conmmited to buy it, but,someone else had beaten me to it.  That was a sad day for me.  Otherwise, the market was pretty incredible, and Darren and I were able to practice our bargaining.

The next day, was the ultimate day of shopping.  Yes, we went to the Silk Market.  Like my own heaven on earth.  For those who don't know, the building is divided up by product, by floor.  The first couple of floors were all clothes, the next floor crafts and art, the next jewellery and accessories, sunglasses, etc.  It was intense.  It took us (ie. me) three hours to get through the first couple floors.  It was intense and excellent.  I must say, I've become fairly good at the bargaining.  I averaged about 20% of the first price (though the first price included what we call the tourist tax).  Whenever you'd walk by a stall, they'd call out "Hey Lady!  Come look at my store.  Just take a lookee!"  It was pretty hilarious.  Some of them would get pretty aggressive.  They'd physically pull you into their stores/stalls and wouldn't let you go until you either physically broke away or bought something.  I remember I walked into one stall just to look, and it definitely wasn't my style, and the girl looked so disappointed as I started to leave.  She told me I was breaking her heart and just kept blurting numbers out at me.  The market is great for your ego as well.  It's interesting how everything and anything about yourself can be the motive for the "best deal".  "You are so beautiful.  I give you best deal because you are so pretty."  "I want to be your friend.  I give you best deal Friend."  Or my favourite, "For an American, I give this price (shows 2000 RMB on the calculator), but because you're Canadian, I give this price (shows 1520 RMB on the calculator)", priceless!  Darren's bargaining skills are priceless.  We split up for a half hour to roam the clothing sections.  In half an hour, I think I bought six shirts.  In half an hour, Darren bought one vest.  He spent the entire half an hour working down the cost for this one vest.  They would not come down to his price, and the clincher: he offered to buy the two girls a popsicle if they gave him the vest for the price he wanted.  Ha ha ha.  They did try to bargain him into buying three though instead of the two he said he would.  Baha ha ha!  We were going to go back to the market the next day, since we were too exhausted to go through the shoes/purse section, but for the sake of our budget we decided it would be better that we didn't.

Yesterday though, instead of the Silk Market, we went in search of some electronics, which we didn't find.  However, what we did find was another great side-street market, with some "interesting" array of skewers.  (Again, see the pictures for clarification).

(The scorpians were still alive).

Speaking of food, other than shopping, we've been eating.  A lot.  We've met a lot of people, and with them, has come a lot of food.  Nan, our wonderful Beijing tour guide, has been taking us to tons of excellent restaurants to savour the local cuisine (some of which you may have already heard about).  We've also found some great back alley vendors who make wonderful pancake like breads to snack on, and a place to get lychee black tea.  It's excellent.  I want to go back on Friday to grab some more for home.  We also met a couple other girls who took us out for hot pot, which is excellent.  The way they do it here is awesome.  It's not electric, but heated using coals.  You can also get pots that have two separate cooking sides.  Here it's so you can do half spicy and half hot, but with a picky, semi-vegetarian like myself, and a meat eater like Darren, I'm thinking genius.  I'm also thinking perfect for camping?!  It's brilliant!

The most ingenious hot pot ever!

Today, by the way, was the most beautiful day we've seen since we've come to Beijing.  The sky was blue and beautiful, and it was hot, around 30 *C.  We spent the day with Nan at the Summer Palace.  We walked around the lake for four hours and it was excellent.  There was a light breeze coming off the lake which made the heat bearable, and everything was green and lush.  Our feet were swollen and so sore, but it was great.  We climbed a couple bridges, walked a ton of stairs and got some great views.  It was such a perfect day!  I think the haze, maybe the lack of oxygen, is the reason I've been so tired; but, with the sun and clear skies, I felt great today.

Here's hoping tomorrow is just as wonderful.  It's a special day tomorrow... tomorrow we're climbing the Great Wall!  I'm so pumped... it also happens to be my birthday tomorrow and some of our new found friends are meeting up with us to celebrate in the evening!  Yay!

Hope everyone is happy and healthy, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ruth and Amanda!