Alone in Beijing (Part 1)

Sally, Dave and I took the fast train from Shanghai to Beijing leaving at 7:00 a.m.! I was very fortunate to have Dave willing to help me with my ever- growing-in-size black duffel bag. When we reached Beijing, they escorted me to the taxi stand, and we said our goodbyes! I might see them later this afternoon, but they are checking into a different hotel and are only staying for 24 hours!

I thought I had things under control. I showed my confirmation e-mail to the taxi driver and, well, that did not go as smoothly as expected! He gave me a blank stare and shook his head. Waving the paper and directing his attention to the name of the hotel, written in English, was not the answer. A passenger in another taxi kindly came over and asked if he could help. He used his cell phone to call the number on my paper and then explained the location to my driver. It was not with extreme confidence that I settled into the taxi and was driven out of the terminal.

However, before I knew it, we were in front of Novotel Peace, and I checked in. It is a very nice hotel. My room has two single beds, a hot shower and internet access, so I'm back in business. Spent the next hour talking to the concierge about how best to see Beijing over the next few days. Also, made the impulsive decision to try out the hair salon... FYI: "Not too short" is a relative term!!

This evening, I had a reservation at the Black Sesame Restaurant in one of the hutongs (neighborhoods). When Maria was in Beijing a number of months ago, she had a great time there and so recommended it. Well, she was right! Getting to the restaurant is a bit of a challenge, however. Black Sesame is located down at the end of a hutong. Between #51 and #53, turn left and then take an immediate right through a large wooden door. Inside the door, follow the path, turning first left and then right and then you will see a large red door and you will have arrived. Keep in mind, that the taxi driver will deliver you to the top of the hutong, and after that you are on you own.

Leaving the hotel, I asked the bellman to please call me a taxi. He said it was very difficult to get a taxi at this time... they were not stopping. Seriously??

He suggested I walk down to the end of the street, next to a stoplight and try to flag one down (my words!) No taxis stopped in spite of my friendly smile and persuasive wave. Then as if by magic..., the following vehicle came into view...




I really thought it was a mini milk truck! The driver smiled and looked at me questioningly. I showed him my piece of paper with the name and address written in Chinese. He nodded. I motioned "How much?" He said, "40"... Well, I didn't exactly have a lot of options! Dinner started at 7:00! I didn't even know how to get into this machine! Walking around to the back, there was a lever that opened a small door.



I took a deep breath, let myself in and sat down on a seat covered with a bamboo mat. The driver gunned the small engine and we were off!

Into the busy traffic the driver merged amid honking horns and tourist busses! Then to top it off, he started to sing! Yes, first the American national anthem and the the Chinese. When those were over, he started humming some classical melodies... and all for only 40 RMB. The best part was yet to come. This little mini cab didn't drop me at the top of the road. Oh no,... we charged right down the little narrow street almost knocking over some unsuspecting pedestrians. Now this is my kind of driver! And then, there it was... I saw #53, and I patted his arm and pointed. URRRRH went the brakes!

I wanted to ask the driver if he'd come back and pick me up at 10:00, but there was no way to work this out given he was already holding up traffic!!

And off to find the Black Sesame I went!

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Location:Novotel Peace, Beijing August 10, 2012