Food

We have had some very interesting things to eat. Lots of noodles (typical for northern China), very little rice (which will be more common in southern China). Lots of different mushrooms and black fungus. Lots of doufu (tofu), cooked every way possible: fried, boiled, steamed; spicy, bland; soft, crunchy; with eggs, with chili peppers; you name it, we've had it, at every meal including breakfast.

Last night we walked through a night market full of stalls offering all kinds of things I'd only before seen on shows on the Travel Channel: live scorpions on a stick, fried fresh while you wait. Pig ears on a bun. Bowls of tripe. Soft shelled turtles (Avery was horrified.) Seahorses to go.

We walked to a boulevard out of the tourist area and found a restaurant that obviously catered only to locals. I whipped out my handy Berlitz book and got across the fact the we were vegetarians. We also ended up with an amazing fish dish: a whole cod, covered with black beans, diced bell peppers, onions and cauliflowers, served in a bubbling broth in a chafing dish over a roaring flame. (Noah wanted to take pictures.) It came to about five bucks. Amazing.

Tonight we are going to Dini's, Beijing's only kosher restaurant. Finally, we'll be able to try Peking duck!!