Beijing, Peking, and everything in between

a quick update- in order to access internet I have snuck into my friend Ryan's office here in Beijing and am currently sitting in a tiny conference room with no AC and listening to Chinese chatter in the hallways. Beijing is dusty, hazy, and surprisingly void of the throngs of foreigners found in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The highlights so far- taking pictures with dozens of little chinese girls at their mother's request in Tiananmen Square, buying 5 dollar plastic sandals, hot pink socks and wearing both at once (super native style), strolling past the Forbidden City late at night with a white haze shrouding the walls, and buying a huge jar of Italian Nutella at Carrefour last night and watching it disappear within minutes at the hands of 3 starving Americans. Ryan says the "big boss" is coming now... time to get going. Check in again soon!