Walking down the Qinlao Hutong. This little street gets a surprisingly heavy load of traffic, including bikes, tricycle carts, cars, taxis, minivans, you name it. Also, cars tend to drive maddeningly fast, but at least they honk a lot so you can hop out of the way. Amazingly, you can hear none of this traffic from inside the siheyuan (courtyard).
Tom stepping inside the 11/9 gate, where Derek lives.
From right inside the gate.
Inside the next gate. Note Derek's drying laundry on the left and his bike to the right. I don't think Tom was irritated with me, despite his expression.
Straight ahead is Derek's neighbor. To the left is Derek's kitchen and to the right is the door to Derek's pingfang (apartment).
Tom entering the apartment (with Derek's laundry).
Looking back through the gates toward the main street of the Qinlao Hutong.In other news, there isn't much. I do feel compelled to introduce everyone to a delightful website called CouchSurfing, which aims to connect travelers all over the world and increase the trust and goodwill we all have in each other. If you register with the site, you can sign up to "couch surf" (for free) in somebody's apartment where you're traveling. And, since this sort of website tends to attract a certain sort of people, it functions as a social networking site where you can meet people and get involved with the city. (Parents, it also includes a fairly elaborate system of verifying identities and banning bad people, so no worries.)
The Beijing chapter is quite active, with house parties and bar get-togethers happening every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Not feeling up to meet scores of people in one batch, we met up with a very interesting girl for coffee and then an impromptu Korean meal together. It was quite fun, not to mention nice to get connected with another expat in the city. I also have a meeting scheduled with a CouchSurfing expat from Australia, who just may be able to get me a job working for the Olympics.
Hope everybody is doing well back in the States (and beyond). We miss you.
4 comments:
Great pictures!! Love the commentary as well. Looks like an interesting place to live. Where's Derek?
I like seeing the pictures. Sounds like things are going well so far.
I miss you both too.
~Kimmy DV
the last picture has a very sweet shift/dress/mumu thing hanging up in the corner. one of derek's neighbors, i assume?
ps- i am now officially registered with couch surfers, as you know :)
Ah, Hutongs. Just like I remember them.
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