Foiled

Sitting down and writing my first post from China, there was one important detail I failed to consider. The Great Firewall. Yes, my chosen blogging site was blocked! As are pretty much all free blogging sites to my new found understanding. As well as any sites discussing blocked blogging sites.

So here we are on a hastily provisioned self-hosted Wordpress site which will hopefully work.

Today's been a quiet day - breakfast in a literal hole in the wall with the food cooked out on the sidewalk.

Followed by a wander through the 798 Arts District, with the kids assuming absurd poses with each piece of street art.

Some more walking, a transfer to a hotel downtown close to Tien'anmen Square, and opening a local bank account. Followed by a well deserved nap, of course.

 

Breakfast consisted of congee, with a choice of millet or bean base, rather than rice. There were pickles to go with the congee, for free. We also ate several trays of dumplings, some with pork inside, and some with vegetables. Last, but not least, we had “you-tiao,” pronounced ‘yo-tiow,” a deep fried dough consisting of two long strands stuck together.

Altogether, breakfast cost us 28 yuan total, for 8 people. About $4.50 Canadian. Although the food wasn’t the best quality, it was sure cheap! And we weren’t that hungry due to jet lag.

- Bess