Beijing weather according to the New York Times

Sorry for the extended absence. Exams filled most of last week, which meant the previous week was filled with disgusting studying. So, not much to report besides spending too much time in coffee shops poring over grammar books and character flashcards - which now exceed 800. We found a new coffee shop named "Hump Cafe" due to an unfortunate translation of its Chinese name - "Camel Cafe". They make great fries though which are yummy, if unhealthy, study food.

Speaking of food, I had diner food today for the first time since leaving North America. After 3 months, we were pretty much 肉串-ed, 囔-ed, and 饺子-ed out and craving a good ol' eggs and sausage fry-up. So we headed downtown to Paul's Steak and Eggs, a proper American-style diner smack in the heart of Beijing, run by Canadian (surprise) Paul Astephen. The atmosphere was a little window back into North America, complete with ketchup, maple syrup, and A1 Steak Sauce on the tables and Paul himself pointing us to a free table. The food was amazing: Chris had a Reuben, I had the classic diner breakfast aka cholesterol-on-a-plate, Craig had burger and huge piece of apple pie (which was "good by American standards"), and we split a cinnamon bun and onion rings.

The motto of Paul's is "you'll come for the price and return for the food". While the prices aren't cheap compared to local chinese food, it's certainly cheap for Western food in Beijing and well worth the 1 hour trip from BLCU.

Even if the journey involved breathing some of the worst air pollution I've seen during my stay in Beijing. Now this city is notorious for awful air quality but the air pollution index yesterday soared to over 450 APIs, with corresponding health warnings and recommendations that pretty much boil down to "don't breathe". Everywhere was covered in a smoggy (or more aptly described by the NY Times as smoky) haze and you could look directly at the sun and discern an orange circle outlined against a thick grey smog. Even the sun couldn't burn through the pollution, let alone your eyes! My lungs feel icky just thinking about it. If we have more days like this, in one year's time I'll be going home with great Mandarin and respiratory difficulties.