Off to bed

And then off to see you in the morning.  I can't wait!

Love,
D

Temple Fair at Ritan Park

Dear D,

Over Chinese new year, I decided to take part in a popular custom by attending one of Beijing's many temple fairs. During Spring Festival (aka Chinese new year) Beijing clears out, which turns the bustling city in to a surreal, ghost town that feels like D.C. So, I was a bit taken aback when a 20 minute bike ride dropped me in the biggest crowd I'd ever seen:

Tickets were 10 RMB per person. Someone was making a fortune.

Once inside I realized that all the flower/fruit/cartoon turd - topped sticks were selling well because friends and families didn't want to lose one another in the crowd.

Prizes begging to be released from their saran wrap prisons.

A happy prize winner.

Posing with a tiger. A bit disappointed, since it's the year of the dragon.

Tastes from the middle east (...?)

And crammed between stalls selling ancient Chinese weaponry and traditional handicrafts: PvZ is really big here.

"Fake paws, come and get your fake paws!"

Korean glutinous rice things.

CHURROS.

All in all a worthwhile experience, even if I left after an hour due to hyperventilation and anxiety. One can only push through so many crowds, be stepped on so many times and knock over so many grannies. Happy year of the dragon!

Love,

L