Not everything is what it seems

So, after 5 postings. You've seen and heard the good stuff about Beijing. Now's the time to put things into perspective.

There has been one thing I have observed so far while working. People here are not bothered by your body language which is widely practised back home. They can actually answer their phones right in front of their superior who is conducting a discussion and are not afraid that their actions will be offensive. What's more, your supervisor can be talking to you and you are replying a sms. Its that simple. Your supervisor won't stop, instead he will just rattle on and on and on.

They don't apologise when they step on you, elbow you and whatever you can think of. Its as if its socially acceptable right here. Hm, which I personally still have not gotten accustomed to.

Ok, so its winter and we don't have the habit of opening our windows since the cold air seeps right through the windows. Check it out;

I think that answer the question of "How dusty can it get here?". Even without opening our doors and windows, the amount of dust which has accumulated is actually quite an eye-sore. This is the dust for one week; considering that we only spend roughly 5 hours at home everyday and that's without opening the windows? This is disgusting. I can't imagine how it will be during spring and autumn.

Is anyone looking for cheap shopping out there? You can try 西单shopping centre which is similar to bugis village as the stalls are all lined up in the interior of the mall. It is like a flea market where you can slash prices by quite a fair amount.Always remember to bargain please.
Here you have it. A shopping paradise which sells mainly female goods but with sufficient male stuff to keep the guys occupied too. Cheap and good. Just take the subway and alight at 西单 station as it is within 5 mins walking distance. I shall go back there during summer as most of the stalls are selling winter clothing (which is the same for every shopping centre).

You can never trust the dim sum here in Beijing. We tried dim sum at 2 different eateries and they disappointed us pretty badly. You should know how I'm not very particular about food. So that explains everything.

First up, lets dissect the 叉烧包, char siew bao. The skin was way too dry, there wasn't much meat and it wasn't even juicy! Just when I miss char siew bao. Rated as: Tasteless

Up next is one of my all time favourite, 小笼包, xiao long bao.
This was even worse than the char siew bao. The xiao long bao was literally a BAO. Seriously, I ain't joking. There wasn't any soup, the meat was tough, the skin was rough and seriously tasteless. Nothing that I expected it to be. Rated as: Totally disappointing

Amidst all the disappointment, maybe we should all just jump wagon and start eating food from the roadside stalls (which looks to be more hygenic)! The food smells delicious (I swear) and it tempts you. The smell hooks your nose and your stomach all at the same time. It is like calling out to you. Screaming aloud to you. Haha. Bracing ourselves on a sunday morning, we tried this 煎饼, pancake from a mini shop by roadside.
Its similar to crepes but less high-class with only an egg spread across the thin surface, garnished with some spring onions and sweet sauce and a salty flake of crispy stuff which I do not know what it is. They then fold it into a square shape and its ready to be served. Depending on where you buy it, it ranges from 2-3RMB. Don't look down on this small Chinese crepe. It lasted us for 6 hours and served as our lunch. It is nice and ranks higher than the slightly more expensive dim sum in terms of taste.

I haven't tried food from those portable stalls that comes in the form of a bicycle. I don't think I will ever for fear of a stomach upset. There is one very interesting portable stall that I come across everyday, the guy produces and sells popcorn on the spot when the others are selling the conventional fruits and satay-like food, 串肉, etc. The smell of the popcorn is almost irresistible and you marvel at how it actually smells so good. Oh well.....

I cooked the other day and it was better than the previous time. At least it looks and tastes decent. Even though it is really simple and idiot proof. Anyone can do it too.
From L-R (Clockwise) Sweet chilli toufu with golden mushroom, sambal sotong, luncheon meat dipped in egg and xiao bai cai.

Lets eat healthy. I'm putting on weight too easily and it is showing. Less oil, less salt please!