7 August: Chinese S. Valentine day, a day dedicated to shopping, both window and actual one! And for this we visited Wang Fu Jing Road, 王府井大街, a great road with huge shopping centers everywhere, and extra convenient smaller shops. In one of these shops, rather then the more fancy (and touristic malls) I bought most of the presents I brought back, plus a little one for Han Xu 
On the way to Wang Fu Jing we walked through a hutong, 胡同, area.. and there were flags everywhere, being one day only before the start of Beijing Olympics!! Red of the wonderful doors, all different, as the stones on the steps and the top tree shapes, over the doors.
In the evening, dinner with Han Xu and her mother Li Na in a popular area famous for spicy food.. ohhhhh.. I am still burning!!! Many restaurants, all with bright red lanterns that illuminates the night. This strong red light can give an idea about the kind of food you are going to eat: like an inferno of fire, all the different restaurants have an almost equal menu, offering a great selection of meats and fishes in spicy and hot sauces. I’m not so used to this food, but thanks to several glasses of good Chinese beer, I could try a bit of everything.. all great as usual!!
Now I wish I had eaten more
