Sunday I spent time trying to get into the rhythm of a sweltering Beijing on a weekend morning. Also spent a lot of time in taxis as they are quite inexpensive.

A ride from the airport which would be 50 dollars in most cities is less than 100 Yuan or about 15 CDN. I also found it foreign to tip so little - one driver gave me Yuan back when I gave him what equalled about to. 1.80 CDN as a tip. He smiled when I motioned to keep it. It is really important to have all your destinations written down in Chinese to show the driver as "Ni hao" is about it.

++++++++++++++++++

The Beijing Science & Technology Museum opened in 2009 after the Olympics and is adjacent to the "Bird Nest" stadium. It is huge with some cool exhibits but maybe 40% filled. There is certainly opportunity to collaborate with the staff there to share exhibits going in both directions. As well a great opportunity around youth and children.

+++++++++++++++++

Sunday afternoon was spent in 798 Art District. It is a series of streets dedicated to art with the Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art as a focal point. Saw several great exhibitions and bought three new indie band CDs then spent the afternoon people watching on a patio enjoying Tsingtao draft. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Beijing be sure to put 798 Art District on your list.

+++++++++++++++++

 
Monday morning I met Li Yunhui and English speaking interpreter at the entrance to the National Art Museum of China. After a quick tour she took me to the board room where I met Mr. Wa, an artist and curator of the museum. Making eye contact and attempting to nod knowingly when communicating through an interpreter can have its challenges. However a bond developed and I soon realized I wasn't going fast enough for him.

We discussed his impressive art work which I later saw in his office and the possibility to bring two folk art collections to Waterloo Region which would be an outstanding introduction to Chinese cultural for both children and adults. RAM may not be a perfect fit for NAMOC but I gained a new colleague and friend and we will do business.

Many taxis will not stop for foreigners and they may be new to the city but have concerns about the language. After two attempts Li Yunhui, who had been watching came to my rescue and got me where I was going.......the Canadian Embassy.

Feeling like Bond or Bourne I popped out of my taxi and began taking photos of the fortified building complete with barbwire around the wall until the nice Chinese policeman/army type guy told me not to. After realizing I was not a threat he directed me to the proper entrance. There I presented my Passport and locked up my camera and Blackberry before going through security. Once cleared I was officially back in Canada and it felt oddly calming.

I cannot speak highly enough of the Embassy staff. This was the first time we met but on my behalf they’ve contacted museums across China to set appointments with them, Consul Generals, interpreters, hotels and were always there to answer the most basic naïve question. We debriefed my itinerary, chatted about places we all knew in Toronto and how Waterloo Region was growing so quickly. Very cool to say the least and whatever comes of my quest to begin a cultural exchange I could not have done it without the Canadian Embassy staff.

From the Embassy to Beijing International I prepared myself for a trip to Sichuan Province and a basin of land that was home to Chengdu and Chongqing.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Next up my Indiana Jones flight and the city of Chengdu with a population of 10 million.