Deluxe Apartment in the Smog

Let her sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world. -Napolean Bonaparte, describing China as a sleeping dragon

We’ve arrive and settled in a bit.  Our apartment is very nice (too nice, really) and someone comes and cleans and does the linens for us, which is very convenient.  I’m not sure how I’d dry something as big as sheets anyway as we do not have a dryer.

We live in the Chaoyang part of town, near Sanlitun.  The apartment is near the famous CCTV building, which the locals apparently refer to as “Big Underpants” or “Big Boxers”.  What’s even crazier is that the building right next door was fire damaged in 2009 due to some fireworks incident and it is still standing awaiting renovation.  The upside for me is that it is an easy landmark that I can use to navigate.

Overall it is going well; I’m adjusting to the lousy air and discovering where I can find good restaurants.  I’ve tried the subway, which only costs $0.25, and am getting proficient with getting around by cab when I can’t actually speak the driver’s language.  It’s cold here but you can tell that warmer weather is just around the corner.