We went to the Drum Tower and climbed some more steep stairs. At the top, we saw an awesome show on huge old drums. (yes, that is the technical name for them)
Unfortunately, Bethie couldn’t perform her solo here.
There was also a shop. To me, it was a bunch of vendors selling the same touristy stuff as everywhere else, but Beth seemed to have a really good time shopping for her friends and browsing the artwork. An example of how long I’ve been here, I suppose.
The vendors were giving her the “I make cheaper for you” spiel and then knocking 10 RMB off the inflated foreigner price. Bethie feels really uncomfortable bargaining, and I sort of understand. I used to feel weird about it too, but now that I’m getting paid in a Chinese salary, I feel differently. Also I take a bin lao wai price as a personal insult.
Then we walked through one of the hutongs. We found a street vendor selling naan pancakes and lamb and fried vegetables, and we bought some and sat on some steps to eat. I’d been trying to show Bethie some of the great restaurants I know in Beijing, but she was actually really happy eating street food in the hutong.
Me trying to assimilate and succeeding as well as I usually do in China.
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