Stairs... Lots of Stairs!

How to Cross a street in China

So here we are in Beijing. We have almost been here a week now, and for Chelsey, it is a very new experience. First of all, the accent. Until you get used to Beijing's accent, it can sound like mandarin with a lot of r's, making it almost unrecognizable. Second, the subways. Fast, cheap, and great way to get around most of Beijing. Chelsey likens it to playing sardines at times as it can be both amusing and squishy. Seats are limited on the subways, so most of the time, unless you have to sit (people are willing to move), you stand for the length of your trip, which might be from 5 minutes to an hour plus - all depending on where you are going, the time of day, and how many transfers you have to take. But the price can't be beat - you can get almost anywhere in Beijing by using the subway for about 30 cents each way. Thirdly, walking. Not that We are not used to walking around, but it is quite different in ways. Mostly in the fact that China has very few sidewalks, so pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists all share the same space. Usually, the bigger it is, the more right of way it has. So we of the foot don't get it very often. You move, they don't! You are fairly guaranteed to have cars in front and behind and trying to move around you while you are crossing the street. Fortunately (and unfortunately!) most major roads have pedestrian crossings above the streets. Which brings us to the title of the post - you go up stairs to get over streets, then back down on the other side. They have to be tall enough that buses can pass under so you end up walking up quite tall stairs - Chelsey thinks it feels like climbing a pyramid at times. You also walk down stairs to get to the subways, you walk up and down even more stairs to transfer to different lines, sometimes, it feels like you walk up and down stairs just to walk up and down stairs. So you walk a lot of stairs all the time here in Beijing. Mom (Innes), don't worry! When you come, we will take the taxi's more often, so that you can get around easier.

Our job hunt is going OK so far, we have had some interviews, and a couple of demos, one at a university about 30 minutes away from Beijing proper, and one at a private English school. We already have an offer from the university, however we don't think that we will take that one, just as it is so far away from everything. We hope that things fall in place with jobs quickly, as it is always a little stressful not having a job! We do feel very hopeful, and we have had assurances from God that we are in the right place.

Keep checking back for updates on our grand adventure in the middle kingdom!

picture at temple of heaven