Today I found a store where I can buy body lotion, toothpaste, hair products, etc. Kinda like a mini Shoppers Drug Mart without the drugs, haha. Skin care products are imported here in China and can be expensive as a result. I picked up a huge bottle of body lotion for about $4, which is pretty good!! The bus was packed during the ride home; so much so that you really felt it when one person stepped off the bus - we all had a little more personal space. I hate being so close to someone that I can smell their breath, but that's part of life in Beijing during rush hour. Luckily, this will not be a daily event for me, since I won't need to commute to work. It does mean, however, that I may want to plan a bit when I feel like making a trip into the city. I'd rather NOT get caught in rush hour if it can be helped. It's not fun to wait 15 minutes for a bus and have to wait for the next one because it's too full to get on.
Bus/Subway fares are cheap. You load up a card, then tap it when you get on, and again when you exit the bus; same process when getting on and off the subway. This means that the further you go, the more you pay (some buses you tap twice, some only once). It's still cheap though. I pay 8RMB to get into the city, which is about $1.30 CAD.
Another new thing today: Used the ATM for the first time. Citic Bank of China's ATMs aren't in English, but have pictures, so I was able to withdraw money with minimal guessing. Big relief. Pretty soon i'll have a Chinese bank account that Amy will be opening for me. That's all for today. Dumplings again for dinner. Peace!
Hi Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteRead through your blog and looked at some of the pictures. I also love the ice cream and cookie fondue and the Chocolate Lamington cake! Glad you're having a good time and that the staff are so helpful. Jennifer, Janet and Chris in Toronto
Hi again, I don't know how to use this comment section properly. I don't think any of the profile options apply to me except anonymous. Jennifer
ReplyDeleteOh, maybe you need a g-mail account for that. No worries, I know it's you if you put your names at the end :) Nice to hear from you; hope you're well.
ReplyDeleteIce cream fondue - sounds delicious! Sylvia, you're really opening our eyes to so many new Chinese treats :) Love it!
ReplyDeleteHeather
Heather, they really know how to make sweets here! I am worried I will gain 50 pounds. Hopefully the kids will keep me running around :)
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