BEIJING BLOGGIN': Bejing Beauty

Internet censorship. Detainment of protesters. Bad weather. Darfur. Rabies. God knows what. With only hours to go until the 2008 Summer Olympics, media across the Western world are doing their utmost to find new, negative things to report on the host country, paying no attention to any sports topics, and completely ignoring to the many fascinations the host city has to offer.

I am therefore starting a short eight-part series, Beijing Beauty, each part of which will introduce a different aspect of this gargantuan city and its society. From culinary tempations to neighbourly spirit, I will share my impressions and try to show you all the wonderful things the papers don't want you to know about.

Part One: Food!

What do Beijingers say when they meet in the morning? Ni hao? Wrong. Zaoshang hao? Nope. Ni chu fan le ma - Have you eaten?- is the greeting you hear on your way to work, or early in the office. Though, like How are You in English, a detailed answer such as "Oh, I've been having problems with my digestion and therefore haven't had anything" isn't really asked for, but this practice does show one thing: Chinese people's passion for food. For eating, and gathering over food.

And plenty of food there is indeed. From the street stalls selling Baozi or pineap ple to go to the small, unpretentious restaurants of all sorts - from Beijing BBQ to Sichuan- to fancy, round table, full-service fancy spots to your usual suspects like KFC and Pizza Hut: When you're in Beijing you'll never have to be hungry. From as little as a few cents all the way up to a stately price you can enjoy virtually any cuisine you like. Any by any, I mean any.

German, French, Italian, American, Russian, Korean, Japanese and Thai restaurants are some examples of the many international cuisines Beijing has to offer. But the true culinary wealth lies in the thousands of Chinese restaurant that offer every single style of food that th is huge, diverse country has to offer. With meals affordable enough to eat out every night, you can have Dongbei on Monday, Sichuan on Tuesday, Mongolian Hotpot on Wednesday, and so on.

See the pictures below for some impressions beyond sweet and sour chicken with rice! (Now updated with additional pictures from last night's opening ceremony party)

Is it lunchtime yet?!

Bis dann and Hao yun Beijing!

Nadine