Top of the World

I went to the top of the world today, and am now thinking loudly from the other side of it.



The flight was long, and the food was bad. I flew with United Airlines, and it was certainly not as sweet as the trans-Atlantic flights I frequent with Northwest. The main downside was the absence of the individual screens for movies and games that NW has, cutting out my favorite part.

The airport is in top-notch shape for the Olympics, and left me very impressed. It's enormous, modern, and well-staffed (all much more so than in the U.S.). Then I stepped out into Beijing and while the clouds from the previous scene parted metaphorically, the smog closed in quite literally. The first thing I noticed, to my horror, was that Beijing has no sky. Above the city is a constant gray sky, without sun or any hint of blue to beg existence. I went for my first run in the city and felt the effects within the first few miles with residue lining my mouth. Not altogether pleasant, but I'll get used to it. I ended up running through the Forbidden City, a fortress-like place with high walls topped with elegant pagodas. Most every building here rewards a double-take, and it's going to take some getting used to.

Jing, my ReachOut leader met me at the Airport (thank god) and showed me to the Hostel, and we're all settled in. I'm off now for my first meal in China--what could be better?