Day 10: Day-by-day

 Hey everyone! I think this post will be another short one. I guess it's time I settle down into a more boring routine: sleeping, school, studying and eating every now and then. Today I walked over to Hou Hai, the lake I was at yesterday night. It was pretty nice in daylight too. On a Beijing map it looks like a 10 minute walk, but no chance. In fact, I hate Beijing maps. They ignore certain streets completely, such as the one I live in. And the smaller Hutong streets. Result: I walked straight into one Hutong street. People stared. Worst of all, it was a dead-end. If you can picture the human anxiety you feel when you suddenly realise you're walking the wrong way and you have to turn around (because people MIGHT notice) imagine walking into a narrow street with people (who look completely different to you and don't see your type of person often) sitting on the streets watching you. Now imagine reaching the end of that narrow street and having to turn around. In front of said people. 
Needless to say, quite an experience. The funny thing about Hutongs (and in fact about Beijing in its entirety) is that no matter where you end up, you don't feel really threatened or afraid. It might have something to do with the grandmothers playing with their children outside, or maybe the cute guy teaching his girlfriend how to ride a motorbike. In any case, I wasn't intimidated. I walked around half the lake, and then on to the subway for the ride home. Maybe you aren't aware, because of my cheerful posts, but Beijing isn't a very pretty city, especially not when pollution/fog is as prominent as these days (check the pictures... no sun). It all looks kind of harsh and unkept in this light. So I hope there's better light tomorrow ;-). After coming back home I ACTUALLY cooked, because I basically only had relatively healthy food left (hehe). And then I ate my food- with chopsticks! Guess it grows on you =). Good night for now!