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We stayed at Ollie's AirBnB residence on Jianhua South Road in Beijing, China
Saturday, Nov 21
We all arrived in the afternoon, took some pictures with the group at the airport, and got a van back to Ollie's house. Talked for a while getting tips and recommendations, had some adventures with the bathroom functionality, then went to dinner at the place with the R2-D2 sounding birds. Explored our street and local area and found a supermarket where we could get breakfast supplies.
Sunday, Nov 22
Made eggs & cheese breakfast at home, then took the subway to the National Museum. Stopped for steamed dumplings in a random place, then went to see the tail end of the Panjiayuan antique market. Got a snack at a Pho place. Looked at some more shops, then went to dinner at a place that Ollie recommended which had all the cool different types of seating (a couch!)
Monday, Nov 23
Made breakfast at home, but this time with mini specialty breads. Met John in the morning for a ride up to the Great Wall. Stopped to see what Burger King was like. Got a ride to see the Summer Palace on the lake, then John drove us all home. Checked out the roof of the apartment building we were staying in, overlooking the city. Don't remember what we did for dinner.
Tuesday, Nov 24
Mismatched breakfast using wanton soup leftovers, then took an early subway and met Susan for a tour of the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Palace Museum. Ate lunch with Susan at the Alley Cafe. Walked around touring some Hutongs (local alleys), then saw the Acrobatics show. Checked out Silk Street market, then went to dinner in a fancy restaurant in the LG tower.
Wednesday, Nov 25
Got breakfast at Donutes down the street, then took a subway out to Zhongguancun technology district to explore the e-tower. Tried a candied crabapple stick, then went for a walk around Yuanmingyuan park with the so-called ruins. Met back home to reconvene for late lunch at the place with the glass roof, then walked around looking at more Hutongs, checked out a Chinese pharmacy, then ultimately hit up the night/snack market for some trinkets and scorpion snacks. Had an experience trying to figure out Hot Pot for dinner.
Thursday, Nov 26
Made breakfast at home again with the remaining eggs. Met Susan again for a tour of the Lama Temple and the Confucius Temple. Saw the monks practicing their rituals and met Mom and Dad at that lady's tea house to warm up. Went to lunch with Susan at that place that was deceptively large inside. Got her help flagging a couple taxi rides up to the 798 Art Zone to have a look around, then got taxis back home to drop our stuff off. Went to the local Beijing Roast Duck restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner, and got a variety of desserts at Donutes on the way home.
Friday, Nov 27
Went to get some street-food breakfast as Seth and Meg were on their way to the Subway to head to the airport. Went to Silk Street market for some clothes shopping, then Mike flagged down a taxi to the airport. Everybody else left at different times, I assume using taxis. Smog started getting really bad at this point.