霾 (smog)

Today is the most boring day in the trip. Smog stayed all day in Beijing. It didn't take an expert or experienced resident to tell. In the morning I saw the foggy scene and instantly felt that it is not our common fog, --something just wasn't right. My mother-in-law told me that it is now called 霾 (mai).

So we stayed home all day, except for a dinner with my wife's relatives. By then, the air still didn't smell right. Hopefully it won't stay long.

Speaking of pollutions, it is different here from Changsha. Changsha, like all middle to big cities in China, is heavily polluted. To some extent, it is worse than Beijing and the air quality is always bad, except... Well, in the south, there are plenty of rainfall that helps. Even in the deadiest winter, it still has a relative humidity of 50-80%! It is not so lucky in Beijing, where smog and sandstorms are part of life, even with herculean efforts undergoing for the 2008 Olympics.

If it is still bad tomorrow, we'll try to find some indoor activities for Will.

Beijing is right in the middle of Changsha and Chicago

I've just been back to Beijing. And it is indeed right in the middle of Changsha and Chicago. :-) It is in terms of geography, weather, environment, smokers, real-estate price and life-style. I guess that I will have more to say later when I am back to Chicago.

China is still familiar and new. One thing is for sure, it is the great power on the rise and it is nonstoppable. Don't miss the opportunities!

The fireworks has been booming since twilight and it is still in full rage.