After Kristin and I made it back from Taiwan, we still had three days left in Beijing. This was perfect because Kristin and I still had some things on your to-do list that we still needed to check off, including 798 art district and the Great Wall. It was kind of funny because I've gone to both of these places, but when I brought Kristin, we got somewhat lost/ took other routes and we ended up seeing a new area that I hadn't seen the first time. While it was a bit frustrating trying to find our way in the beginning, it turned out great because I got to have a different experience than when I first went.
On our way to the 798 art district I decided to finally try a roasted sweet potato from a street vendor. I've seen them all over China but never tried, and finally decided to give it a go. It was so delicious. Hot right out of the oven, and little bits on the side had carmelized into yummy goodness. I should have started buying these things earlier. After my little snack, we headed into 798 and ran into a man that was making wire art. He was skillfully using pliers and wire and writing out people's Chinese names. It was really impressive and we found out that he never actually went to art school or anything either. It was just something he picked up on his own and enjoyed doing. Kristin got her name written in Chinese and I got a ring with the word "愛" on it, meaning love. Walking around 798, we got to see a couple different exhibits and little shops. We liked the shops the best because they always had unique things and trinkets to buy or just look at.
For the Great Wall, I decided to bring Kristin to the Badaling part of the wall. The day we went was perfect weather because it was sunny, warm, and barely any wind. Getting there was a hassle however. The first time I went I took the subway part of the way, and then got on a 919 bus for about 45 minutes that took us straight to the Badaling Great Wall entrance. The second time, we did the exact same thing... EXCEPT the bus turned out to be a 919 块 (fast) bus used by local Chinese people. Meaning that they don't stop at the Badaling stop. We found this out after we had driven over an hour and I started getting worried so I ask the bus driver why it was taking so long. Apparently we had to take the normal 919 bus and not the fast one. So Kristin and I had to get off and wait for a bus in the other direction. In the end, it dropped us off at a different location than I had been to before... but it turned out really well. The Badaling area we got dropped off at turned out to be an even prettier area of the Great Wall. So I got to have a different experience visiting the wall and Kristin loved it as well.
Now Kristin and I are at the Beijing airport on our way home. Our last couple days in Beijing were great. We got to do everything we wanted on our checklist and we got to eat all the yummy food we wanted to eat before we left like bubble tea, bibimbap, sushi, and red date cake just to name a few. Our last meal we went to a yunnan restaurant called Middle 8th with our friend Stefan and had a nice last meal.
I'm still in disbelief that it's all ending. I go through waves of emotion that range from sad, happy, excited, to dread. It's all very bittersweet. I've had such a great time here in Beijing, so it makes it hard to head home. I've been so lucky to experience what I have and meet the many people I know I will keep in touch with even when I'm at home. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience that I won't forget. And to everyone who has been following my blog, thanks for reading and I hope you have all enjoyed the blog and experiencing my time in Beijing with me.
Next time I write, it'll be from MN!! 再见大家 :D
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