We made it!

[eamarquardt]

Hi All,

Well, we got a bit "higher" than usual yesterday. Particularly me.

When we got "down to earth" we were seeing 'red stars", "red flags", and Panda Bears. Maybe I took too many opiates and benzodiazapines yesterday. I'm gonna have to cut back.

Murphy has made his presence known in a couple of ways. First, we didn't pay close enough attention and thought we were leaving at 0040. Wrong! 0140. So, we could had taken it a bit easier. Better early than late though.

When I got my boarding pass, I neglected to get back, lost, threw away, or whatever all of the rest of my travel vouchers for the trip. Opps! I was thinking about the answer's I'd get when we were met by our "facilitators" at the Airport. "No big deal, happens all the time, we'll have it straightened out in no time", or "WTF. WTH were you doing. Pay attention. You're screwed now. You probably never see home again". Fortunately the answer was the the former, not the latter. All the plane tickets are ETickets, we have Suzy's so we know what "the plan" is, so no problemo!!!!

Today (Monday here) was a "free day". So we had a nice breakfast in the Hotel. Buffet with custom omlets, etc. Very western and very good.

We decided to be "bold" and took the subway to the Bejing Zoo. The subway station was a bit hard to find but we got there ok. Bought tickets, scanned the card to get to the trains, climbed aboard, and we were off!!! Piece of cake. So, we get to our destination, I "scan" the card and the gate won't open. WTF. I'm I locked in the dungeon forever? As I was holding things up, I was quickly instructed that you scan the card at the start of the ride to get in, and insert the card into the gate machine to get out. Got it. Easy!

Saw the Peking Zoo. A bit "greener" than the Zoos in So. Cal., but it had all of the requisite things. Most of the animals were not very photogenic today. Suzy was. She wore her Energizer Bunny Ears (when on vacation she makes the Energizer Bunny seem lethargic, so I got her a pair of Bunny Ears for the trip). She has been pretty good about wearing them. Sometimes she humors me, sometimes not.

You'll be surprised that I started a commotion at the zoo. I noted that a little boy had the sides of his head shaved so that what hair was left was in the shape of a heart. Sooooo, not being able to resist making a "comment". I got the mother's attention, made a heart with the thumbs and index fingers on both hands, and then pointed at the kid. Whooaaaaaaaa. I just became everyone's best, long lost, friend for life! At least half a dozen people wanted their pictures taken with me, ha. One fellow, just a bit younger than me, was particularly happy to be photographed with your's truly. We ran into him a bit later and he was still gushing. I only recognized him as he had a "band aid" on his hand. They all look alike you know. Suzy was bummed that only one person wanted her in the picture. I guess it's just my "magnetic personality". Beanie says I'm an "acquired taste". Clearly the Chinese folks at the zoo have excellent taste. I tried to be a good diplomat today. I offered, in my best "sign language" to take pictures of couples when I noted one taking a pic of the other. I got half a dozen or so "takers". Also got a half a dozen nice cameras. The Chinese are very trusting. I get like a 100 meter (they use meters here) head start before they figure out I've stolen their cameras. I'm gonna make some real money this trip. Yup, liven on the edge.

It's a lot different here, and a lot the same. Some differences. The Chinese like air conditioners. The units they use are hung on the outside of the building with a hole drilled in the building to get the refrigerant lines inside where the evaporator unit is. A bit tacky but it works. They like flowers. Lots of flowers. Planter boxes along the roads and even some of the freeways.

I've noted that traffic lights are kinda like informal suggestions rather than hard and fast requirements. It is chaos. Jungle rules. I'm not interested in driving here. Makes LA traffic seem positively sane. The Chinese like horns. Bicycle horns, electric bicycle horns, motor scooter horns, motorcycle horns, car horns, truck horns, bus horns, and I think, so they don't feel left out, even the pedestrians have horns hidden beneath their clothes. Horns, horns, horns, horns, horns. Yup, they like horns.

We've noted that you only see parents with one child. Apparently they're serious about reducing the ranks.

We're at the Ritz Carlton. We feel a bit out of place for obvious reasons. They'll get over it.

After about 42 hours w/o sleep I hit the wall. Suzy and I had words. I prevailed. Actually she's asleep right now, still! I "wore out the Energizer Bunny". I've still got it!!!!!! I did indulge myself on the flight with opiates and benzodiazapines. Never leave home without them. Had a brief scare as I absently mindedly move my stash from one bag to another. Couldn't find the stash for a bit. Opps. Gonna be a tough trip w/o pills is pills. Fortunately I packed double and keep em in separate bags that we never check as luggage. I eventually found the stash and am back to "double rations". Yup, Murphy loves me, yes he does. I'll get even with that little sh** when I catch him. Questions?

I'm pleased that we're able to communicate pretty well. I nod up and down for yes. Side to side for no. Point at the map a lot identifying where we want to go. I've found that simply smiling and looking silly is a good response when I don't understand a word. I've found that when someone doesn't understand English that saying a phrase repeatedly, a bit more loudly each time, rarely helps their level of English comprehension. Go figure. They must be slow learners.

Well, I'm gonna "Wake Up Little Suzy" and get some din din.

Stay tuned.

Cheers,

Gus

[Lancie49]

Sounds like you're having a bit of fun there Suzy and Gus.

What's for dinner, US Take away ?

[Shadow Catcher]

You of course know we will be asking for pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[Greg M]

Hey Gus,
While you're there maybe you should get a container load of knock off waffle dog irons made. You could finance the whole trip

-Greg

[S. Heisley]

Great travel tales! Can't wait to hear more!

Stay safe!

[48Rob]

Gus,

If you're having a medication induced dream vacation, don't let up yet, it sounds like fun!

If you really are having a dream vacation, keep at it, it sounds like fun

Since you have so many extra camera's, please send us some pictures!

Rob

[eamarquardt]

Thanks,

More "sitreps" and pics to follow.

One brief comment to anyone that feels "sympathy" for the former Marine Sergeant that got thrown out of the Corps for his criticism's of Obama on FB. He's a worm, a pathetic excuse of a human being, and an even more pathetic excuse for a Marine. The truth is a lot different than the "spin" the media is presenting. I don't have access to everything on the Internet while here in China. I found Citizen Stein's situation very interesting as I, and my Marines, processed over 10,000 (ten thousand) separations/discharges when I was the AOIC of the Camp Pendleton Separation Center. I never saw a situation like this. The only reason I ever saw a "Other than Honorable Discharge" was plea bargain to avoid a court martial or because of a conviction of a serious crime in the civilian world.

If anyone is interested to to "We Don't Support Gary Stein" on Facebook and you'll find quotations from the documents filed in Federal Court there and links to the actual papers. They paint an entirely different picture of Citizen Stein than you get from the media. He's a real pathetic crook, cheat, liar, etc.

On the scene here in China.

Gus

[Mukilteo]

Holy Mother of god! China?
I can't stand the drive from Mukilteo to Sea-Tac airport.
Enjoy your trip.

[eamarquardt]

Holy Mother of god! China?
I can't stand the drive from Mukilteo to Sea-Tac airport.
Enjoy your trip.

12 hours and 40 minutes on the plane. 40 hours w/o sleep before we hit the sack. Pics soon.

It's a lot different in Beijing, and a lot the same (big cities are all kinda alike, IMHO).

More later.

Gus