Out on the Town

Friday brought me face to face with something that I truly hate in this world.  Shopping.

Not just shopping, but shopping with six girls who have nothing else to do all day.  Who must go to ever single little shop and peruse its contents before moving two feet to the next shop.  It's infuriating.

OK, so I'm exaggerating here, and I actually had a great day with the girls, but shopping is still one of my most hated pastimes.  I like to get in and get out with what I want, which is hard in the company of a bunch of girls.  But the alley that we hung around in was a very popular shopping area, and I found the chance for some souvenir shopping.  After leaving the boutique alley, we visited the official Beijing Olympics store in the Chinese version of Times Square.

This store takes up an entire floor of a more expansive mall and has every Olympic souvenir that you could want, and a lot that you won't.  Ever.  But I found lots of fun stuff for myself and others in my little spree.

Also, I was excited to see the lady taking my orders from behind the counter do something that is actually very rare in China, actually make someone stand in line for their turn.  I've heard that the whole idea of lines and taking turns is very American, and that Europe and Asia do not hold such convictions.  It's been true for the  most part, as most Chinese believe that it is totally OK to push their way to the front, no matter where it is, and we have had to adapt.  Hey, different culture I understand.

So I've been waiting in line for several minutes and when it's my turn, this man literally lays his money down right next to mine and proceeds to sidle into me as if to move me away from the counter.  I didn't take too kindly to that, but it's not the first time it's happened, and it's not worth making a fuss.  But thankfully the lady behind the counter made him wait while I fished through my pockets.  I appreciate it lady.

So, Friday we went out for our first night on the town instead of staying and hanging out at home.  We visited several different hangouts, finally staying at a rooftop bar that gave a pretty fabulous view of the Beijing skyline.  They had tables set out in sand too, pretty cool.

Still more time off.  I'll keep writing.