Hip Hou Hai

Hou Hai lake is the hippest bar/restaurant area of Beijing. This ultra modern area is north of Tiananmen Square and features an amazing blend of old and new. Above is a photo from a bar around Hou Hai lake. If this were a better picture you'd be able to see more of the elaborate decor which seems to be a mix between an Alice in Wonderland fantasy world and Yuan dynasty furnishings.

There's a policy in Beijing where motorists must pay for the medical bills of any pedestrian they hit, regardless if it was their fault or not. In fact, if you hit someone and they are unable to work, you must pay their work salary for the rest of their lives. i wondered what would happen if a motorist hit someone who was in between jobs, or just retired...

On our way back from the Great Wall at Simatai, we followed a truck that had tons of bees buzzing around either side of it. My first thought was that it was a flower truck, and the bees were along for the ride. Our tour guide let us know that it was a bee transport truck. An hour later we stopped at a highway toll plaza. The aforementioned bee truck was nowhere to be seen. i noticed there was a tiny swarm of bees buzzing around the toll booth. We laughed at the thought of these little creatures upset at being abandoned, the need for instituting a "no bees left behind" rule, and the prospects of bee activism. OK, i guess you had to be there.

This concludes the Beijing portion of my blog. i could write 20 more entries about this fascinating city and the things i've observed. My new and clearer understanding of the vast differences between the cultures of China, Japan, and Korea. More food photos. More observations of all things small and seemingly insignificant.

So anyway, pennylane productions has resumed production stateside. The "No Jet Lag" pills worked wonders on the trip over, but i might as well have been taking sugar pills on the way back. It's 6.30 or so p.m. here but i'm feeling like it's brunch time as it's around 10 a.m. in Beijing. The Tubular One is whining and giving me her best "i've got cabin fever look" with the accompanying guilt vibes.

But seriously, you'll hear a lot more about the Hou Hai Lake district, if you've not already. Experience it soon before it becomes way overrun with tons of drunk expats and more American chains other than Starbucks.