It is official. Thursday I said goodbye to a 13-year relationship that consumed much of my life. One I never thought I could live without. It was a passionate relationship that was stimulating, challenging, rewarding and at times filled with love. I will miss it but time marches on.
That was then, this is now. It is early Sunday morning, I’m in Beijing, China and life looks brighter than ever. Metaphorically speaking that is, because the layer of haze that hangs over the city has yet to allow the sun through. But even with the early morning fog you can still see the outline of tall majestic buildings along the avenue. My hotel, the Beijing News Plaza Hotel, which is an elegant and grand structure, is located at 26 Jianguomen Nei Da Jie. I’m told this was the first street built in Beijing. It is heavily traveled and lined with tall buildings and every couture designer store you could imagine. It appears shopping is alive and well here. I was also told there are 3 million cars in the city of Beijing. Hence the haze.
My journey here started Friday morning via Seoul, Korea, a four-hour layover, then 2 more hours to Beijing. The first 12-hour leg to Seoul was not nearly as brutal as I had anticipated. Maybe it was because I was spent, emotionally and physically, and slept most of the way. I remember a flight to Tokyo a few years ago as almost unbearable and I anticipated the same.
I did awaken on cue for meals and music. I took in some Brandi Carlile, Ellis and Branford Marsalis (Miss Otis Regrets), Miles, Dinah Washington, Harry Connick Jr., John Hiatt, Thelonious Monk and others. George Porter Jr sent me his new cd and I imported it to the Goddess right before I left. You go George… I like it. Music really helps lull you into a state of calm that help the hours “fly†by. Music and Twizzlers, that is. Oh yeah, wife, bring more Twizzlers please.
I also read a few chapters of “The Rome Affair” by Laura Caldwell. One of those psychological thrillers that keeps you turning pages. Rome and redheads – check it out.
Twelve hours after leaving Atlanta I was in Seoul and engaged in some of the best people watching. Imagine you can’t see faces or people and only see clothes, outfits, accessories, hairstyles, ipods and LV luggage walking by, you would think you were in Buckhead, Frenchmen Street or the Underground. And it is the same here in China – designers have conquered the world.
Okay, nothing so far tops the Japanese Rasta guy we met in Tokyo who had Thug Life tattooed on his stomach, but I may have to dig deep for old world eastern culture.
The Liu’s, a friendly husband and wife team, from the local journalist association met me at the airport last night and drove me to the hotel safely. She speaks English and translated for her husband. Tiananmen Square is a short walk from here so a tour is in order for today.
It is now 7:30 AM Sunday morning and I’m off to breakfast.
