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View Full Version : Hi from Beijing!


JHaris
11-18-2004, 06:24 AM
Arrived yesterday with DH on a business trip. We are 13 hours ahead of EST and except for breakfast this morning I haven't a clue as to what we had last night and tonight for dinner except for being advised that it was vegetable, meat, fruit or dairy

Two major dinners were served on huge glass lazy susans and there must have been at least 25 to 30 dishes brought out each time. I just about tried everything except I passed on the sliced jellyfish tonite. Still have memories of being stung at the beach. Everything is so beautifully presented. I managed the chop sticks pretty skillfully for a beginner, but some things were so slippery I had to resort to a fork. I couldn't believe the varieties of food. You ate the small sauteed seasoned shrimp whole, shells and all. I had to get rid of the head and tail...that was too much to ask. Talk about crunchy!!! Did try it though for the first one. Had a specialty soup with "grasses" from a particular region..considered a real delicacy. Had only 2 spoonfuls...the grasses had the texture of a live small minnow in my mouth!! Certainly went down fast. Weird feeling on the tongue.

Another dinner tomorrow night at another place so I am curious what that will be. Nothing has been repeated at either dinner so far.

At least now when I see fruit being placed on the turntable I know nothing more is to come. You have to sample lightly of everything otherwise you fill up too fast.

The traffic of cars and bicycles has to be seen to be believed. LA, Boston, NYC, Phila. and DC all rolled into one. Air pollution is pretty bad but so far my breathing is OK.

The whole scene is quite an experience. Hope to see the great wall this weekend. Leave Tuesday, arrive home Wed. Since DS2 and DSIL are also here, Thanksgiving will be held on Friday. At least I made the gravy before I left and put it in the freezer.

Joan

donleyk
11-18-2004, 06:33 AM
Hi Joan! Thanks for sharing. Your experience sounds wonderful. It's great that you tried most everything. I'm not a picky eater but some of it would be hard to talk myself into! Good for you. Enjoy the rest of your trip and please report back.

SueK
11-18-2004, 06:38 AM
Hi Joan!

Sounds like you've had some interesting meals so far! Keep us posted on how the other meals turn out. I think I would have passed on the jellyfish, too. :eek:

Jerry is in Japan right now, so I'm looking forward to hearing about his gastronomic experiences when he gets back.

Have a safe trip back and enjoy your big meal next week!

KelLeg
11-18-2004, 07:10 AM
Thanks for the post. It sounds quite interesting. I remember when my parents went to Taiwan and other places in the Far East, my dad ate something he thought was chocolate. It turned out to be something very different (not sure if it was red beans or some kind of bug or something--can't remember!). He is very picky and didn't do well over there! Sounds like your experience is better--plus you sound open to trying everything. Have fun.

Gracie
11-18-2004, 07:18 AM
What a great opportunity! I've always wanted to go to China. I hope you can post pictures when you return. Have fun!

Loren

wallycat
11-18-2004, 07:23 AM
I LOVED Beijing...Hope you are having a great time!
The Lufthansa compound is where we were put up when DH flew for work.
THey have the most AMAZING restaurants in there...I swear it is the place I got the BEST Tiramisu EVER!!

Have fun sampling and enjoying the sites.....hope you get a chance for an excursion to the Great Wall....sadly it's getting very touristy but still a great thing to see.

Safe Travels!

JHaris
11-18-2004, 09:35 AM
Originally posted by KelLeg
my dad ate something he thought was chocolate. It turned out to be something very different (not sure if it was red beans or some kind of bug or something--can't remember!). He is very picky and didn't do well over there!

DH is also having a tough time eating even though he has been here many times. Right now we are back at the hotel and he is scanning roomservice menu and it is 12:30am! At least when I asked what the dish was I did get some kind of answer which allowed me to pass on the dish...so far other than the jellyfish I have been lucky..... unless I wasn't being told true.

tbb113
11-18-2004, 10:59 AM
Jellyfish isn't bad at all. Sort of tasteless, just very chewy (like rubber bands). Try it, you might like it :D

honeygirl1971
11-18-2004, 11:37 AM
How fascinating! What an adventure! I hope to visit China someday...I've always been fascinated by its history, culture, and FOOD! ;)