I just arrived in Beijing and will be here until Feb 21. The only trouble I had was at security. The airport staff unloaded my backpack while asking me if I had an “organ.” Wondering if they really thought I was carrying animal parts, I watched them curiously go through my possessions until they found my harmonica, exclaimed “mouth organ,” and let me repack.
I’m now sharing a room with 3 other people at a hostel near the center of the city for 50 Yuan a night ($7.32). If you have suggestions for where to go or requests for pictures, please let me know via comment or email.
Simmy,
I’m living and teaching in Zibo, Shandong province and happened to find your blog by chance on an expat site. I am visiting Beijing from the 16th to the 19th with a Chinese friend. If you’re interested to meet up and do some sightseeing or have dinner, please let me know. I’ll be staying at Emperor’s Guesthouse Hostel and plan on doing what I can in the city.
Chris