slides of my life..

I just want to start by saying how much I love Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. It is the photographer companion that helps do everything they need. Now we talk business.

So, an almost 7 hours flight was not an issue, the one thing I wished though is if I had a window view. We actually flew over the Himalaya Mountains and got some really nice shots. I  also managed through someone to take a photo from somewhere that not everybody is allowed in =)

After a great comfortable flight with Emirates Airlines, I thought I would be able to go to a taxi driver or an information desk in the airport where I can simply ask a simple question hoping for a simpler answer. My question was “Any good recommendation for hotels down town?, I just need hotel number and area name!” And this lead to me going to a taxi driver and ending up in a 2.5 hours drive until I asked one of my new friends in Dubai if she could speak Chinese to a taxi driver to explain to him what I wanted. Of course she got me someone who called me immediately and explained to him. Long story short, I ended up in a 3 star hotel by the Marriott which was exactly what I was looking for.. I was starving so I ended up eating anything that could really be eaten.. Example above..

Beijing had everything, normal streets that you see everywhere else mixed with old architecture.

From the window of the taxi

Sex shop in one of the oldest part of the city. Wander whether this shop is ancient or new

The smell was getting stronger and stronger as I was walking away from the bus and passed this thing. Once I sensed the smell was vanishing, I looked back and discovered the source.

The weather was very humid, and everyone carries those Chinese fans.

Different means to commute

An old man that was sitting who reminded me of old people in the village back home. Walking up in the morning, waiting for a neighbor to pass by or a stranger, like me, who is taking photos of them to document their experience.

One of the small streets that I wanted to go in, but apparently the thing in red in the back says “Under Construction.” Or so I read it  =)

I was starving.. Restaurant menu and signage was the first English thing I saw ever since that morning. Did not think twice before I went in..

Great place I must say

For tea ceremony, or simply to serve tea. Thanks to Kinan Jarjous who said it’s a must do

Friendly staff

People who went to the Olympics in China couple of years ago singed on his wall. All the walls are signed..

The beautiful cats with the 3 little things sitting out side the restaurant. Did not even notice me..

No, the dog was in a different area, was not looking at them..

Art shop by China National Art Museum

Something that captured my eye as I entered. Not sure who could sign, but I could not do anything cause I could write nothing but Arabic & English.

Art

Art..

Art again, this time in the Silk market.

Silk market is one of the must do’s when you go to Beijing.. It multi-story building where everything is pretty much cheap, and reasonably priced.. Or, as some people like to refer to it, fake.

Although after many trials, she would not let me take a photo of her before I started my journey. So when I came back later in the day, I came from behind and took a photo of her.  She doesn’t ask for money although she needs it. She uses sticks to walk. She has one of the most beautiful hand writing and she writes nicely with chalk on the pavement. It takes her long time to write. Simply, a great artist.

And that was day 1.

T