The main attraction today was the Beijing Zoo. We took a bus ride down the congested streets of Beijing to arrive there. The zoo is made famous for its Giant Panda Bears. The panda bears were really adorable and I also enjoyed seeing the giraffes and zebras. I found it pretty interesting that there was a squirrel and raccoon exhibit. It gives you a different perspective on the world. The grounds of the zoo were very beautiful. I was expecting so see more foreign vegetation in China, but the trees, flowers, and grasses are all reminiscent of home. I also took this time to get to know some of our companions for this trip. Ruby, a young girl from Mongolia, is accompanying us to better her English.
After the zoo, we had lunch at what seemed like an Asian fast food restaurant called Yoshinoya. There I ordered a bowl of rice with vegetables, chicken, and sauce. It was an enjoyable meal. I think that the average Chinese citizen would be more likely to eat a meal like this on a daily basis rather than all the duck and intricate dumplings which we have been sampling so far.
Our last stop for the day was a seven story indoor market located across the street from the zoo. Inside was a hectic array of stands with cheap clothes, bags, and shoes. The market bears a striking resemblance to what you would find in China Town in New York City. The market was impossibly crowded and dirty, but it was definitely worth experiencing. It encourages me to learn more Chinese phrases so that I can communicate with the merchants. So far, the language barrier has been difficult, but manageable with simple gestures or the help of our guides.