Friday Hutongs

Friday afternoon Zoe, Brendan, Derek and I went to explore some of the more commercialized hutongs in Beijing. Hutongs are essentially the narrow streets (mostly residential) that reflect how traditional Beijing looked and felt before the economy explosion. Many hutongs (the ones that are not popular among tourists) are being torn down around Beijing and their residents are being moved into high rises. The destruction of the hutongs is very controversial and everyone has a different opinion regarding what should be done about the tiny alleys that can't accommodate cars but form a maze of back streets that hundreds of people call "jia" (home). Well I have already walked around the traditional hutongs with Jayson, but Friday we went to check out the big shopping hotspots. The area was really great and also known for its "xiao chi" (small eats--snacks). My only complaint was that none of the shop keepers would bargain, but of course that didn't stop me from makes some very adorable purchases included a pair of mittens that look like Stitch. Later that evening we went to dinner with one of the IES professors at a delicious dumpling restaurant with over 40 different types of dumplings. I now know what Heaven feels like.