RANDOM THOUGHTS ----------------------------------------------------------------- The picture almost says it all. The only thing missing are loads upon loads of Chinese tourists. Whether it is something brand new for the Olympics, remodeling an existing structure, or bulldozing the old to put in the new; Beijng is under contruction. Cranes and skyscrappers can be seen in almost every direction. Most of the major tourist sites are also getting a face lift. There is no doubt that the Chinese Government wants to put on a show for their upcoming Olympic Games. For further evidence of China's booming economy, you only need to go to the local high end tourist areas and shopping malls. The place is packed with Chinese tourists and locals, and we are not talking about extradordinary cheap items either. People are making and spending money here left and right. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall, the people of Beijing are nice, but there is definitely an air between us when they see the short, fat, white guy. The inquisitve want to talk, the curious want to take pictures with me, and the bold and humorous want to rub my belly. I've never been stared at or photagraphed so much in my life. Now I know how a super model must feel going out in public. ------------------------------------------------------------------- I had a random conversation with a local while on my way to the Temple of Heaven. He and his sister were one of the millions of Chinese tourists in town. He politely asked me all the right questions; family, where from, etc., but then he got to the heart of the matter. "How many" anti war demonstrations have I attended? America has high unemployment. We spend all our money on the military and as a result, we do not have health insurance. I really threw him for a loop when I told him that I liked George Bush and that our unemployment rate was less than 5%. It was a really good chat. I wish it would have been longer. ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Hutong Life appears to be really, really special. Think of the images of 1940's Brooklyn where everyone was always outside with their family as well as their neighbors. Make no mistake, the Hutongs are borderline slums in parts, but the people seem happy. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Chinese History and Chinese Revolution Museum - outside of the Great Wall, this was my favorite spot. Everything about the Revolution as well as everything about the Opium Wars and it's "Unfair Treaty" had English description. However, there was not a single English translation for the Korean War Exhibits. ----------------------------------------------------------------- RANDOM COMMENTS BUDDAH you would do well here. Tipping is not only not expected, but it is also often refused when offered. PEOPLE - the people are far taller and heavier than I imagined. While not obese, they are fatter than I thought they would be. As the Hutongs get destroyed and as people move into the suburbs (it's happening now) I can see China as a whole developing an obesity problem. The portions that they consume at meals are as big as if not bigger than Americans. The difference is that they still have to walk far more than we do, but this practice will not always be the case as China continues to develop.