Hello from Beijing! I got here about a month and a half ago, following my husband who is posted here for a two year work stint. We hail from America’s Northeast, and this move kicks off his career abroad, and my first time living outside the US. I meant to start blogging sooner (mainly with the goal of keeping friends and family informed) but I’ve been cowed by the questions of how and where to start—there’s a lot to talk about when you move to a new place, especially if it’s, you know, China. But it turns out this week’s A+ weather was the motivation I needed! It’s warm (not hot), breezy, blue-skied and sunny—think Boston in early fall. After a hot, muggy, and dirty summer, the expats around here are smiling and drinking a lot—dare I say frolicking? Nah. But they're happy. 

Beijing has been awesome, regardless of the weather. There’s a lot to see/do/eat here—even a quick walk around the neighborhood is entertaining. I’ll see a man shooting birds with a slingshot, a woman in heels and a suit buzzing through traffic on a scooter, or see/smell giant yams roasting on the back of a bike. 

More neighborhood anecdotes to come, but in honor of the weather and to prevent a four foot long first post, I’ll talk about the parks I’ve been to first. Please forgive/correct any misquoted facts, my research on Beijing/China has just begun.