As we returned via the subway I spotted a Häagen Dazs ice cream shop, facing East Chang An Avenue but part of Oriental Plaza. Cindy wanted go to back to the hotel pool but I wanted some ice cream so we parted company for a while. I ate my ice cream then headed back toward the hotel via Oriental Plaza. As I did yet another voice called out to me asking if she could practice her English. I turned to find I was being addressed by a very pretty girl who introduced herself as Lucy. We stood there and talked for about 15 minutes when she suggested that we have a drink. I guess that it was the influence of talking to a pretty girl that led me to accept after a moment’s resistance. The place she had in mind turned out to be across Wangfujing Street where we ordered Ginseng oolong tea, which was delicious but quite expensive. She kept reaching out to take my hand which at first made me think she was being rather forward until I realized that every time she did it we were at a curb, a staircase, or a rough spot in the pavement. Lucy was expecting me to fall flat on my nose! Since I had already demonstrated my capability of doing that I guess it wasn’t unreasonable.
We talked for a while longer then I said I had to get back to the hotel. We crossed the street and stopped in the Wangfujing Book Store where she helped me buy a couple of maps. At the entrance to Oriental Plaza we said goodbye and I made my way back to our hotel room and told Cindy what had happened.
Her comment was, “Dad I’m going to have to put you on a leash.”
That night we had a delicious Peking Duck dinner at a restaurant in the hotel that specialized in it. We had tried to do that on Tuesday but the restaurant was so popular that we needed advance reservations.
Friday morning Cindy went to an art museum that interested her while I took another stroll down Wangfujing while the stores were actually open. I went back to the bookstore and found some advanced English grammars that took an analytical approach to English. I found the approach intriguing and bought them so that I could donate them to the Bergenfield Library where I teach English as a Second Language.
Cindy and I ate lunch at one of the McDonald’s on Wangfujing Street just to compare them to the ones at home. Our conclusion – McDonald’s is McDonald’s no matter where you go. They do localize their menu somewhat but we could have been in New York City for all the difference there was.
We checked out of the hotel on Saturday morning and took a taxi to the airport. There Cindy and I parted company as she was out of vacation time and headed for Newark Airport whereas I was going on to Incheon International Airport in Korea. As I went through Chinese immigration I noticed that the official flipped through my passport to find the visa.
The flight I was on was a Korean Airlines flight. I noticed that this flight offered a Wi-fi connection for computers, the first I’d seen. I inquired about the cost and it was $20.00 per hour. I didn’t bring my computer on this trip so I couldn’t take advantage of it but it was interesting to know it was available. Soon we took off as I looked out the window and said goodbye to China.
Tags: China Beijing travel, China trip, peking duck, Roy's Trip
Keep Updated: 
Yes, see you. I do hope to come back. Cindy is getting married next July so right now our attention is focused on that. After that travel will be on our minds again and China is definitely on our list. Until then….
See you,
Roy