Writes of Passage

A pretty depressing place. The guard at the entrance demands your photo ID. Entering the archives building, the bag scanner is asleep, so is the scanner.

档案馆 11:30-2 午饭；一天只能要求提交看档案一次 （馆员说 你可以提20条呀）… 他们什么也没有. 说 看晚清 还是去北京一档.

^{Qijiang @ Chengdu}

We arrived late from Taiyuan – actually our train arrived five minutes early than scheduled. But our hotel was cross the street from the station, at 11:35pm, the street was buzzed with cars and people.

My first impression of Chengdu is: old, old buildings even the top brands in downtown. Smokers, lots of them, even in the restaurants. Hot – spicy. I consider myself can handle pretty spicy food but my first fray out was a mistake. I asked for the mild (medium and hot) spicy but it almost killed me. The oil and saltiness upset my stomach so much that I’ve to run to a bathroom, twice, and the following day.

Sichuan cuisine has been in vogue worldwide in recent decades but it hits me only now that Sichuan food has two traits: salt and spice. Let’s face it: salt = tasty.

8 Jialingjiang Road
嘉陵江路8号 成华区
Chenghua District, Chengdu

I recommend this hotel for the convenience – cross street – to Chengdu East train station.

It has two types of accommodations: the hotel and apartment, under four names with Longmont being the most expensive among the four and Rayfont the least:

1. 龙之梦大酒店 Longmont
2. 瑞锋国际 Rayfont
3. 亚士商务酒店 Yes Inn
4. 瑞锋公寓 Rayfont

This hotel group is massive, east of the train station. It’s modern, clean and well light. We stay at Yes Inn (room 509). The bathroom’s door is used also for the shower which is pretty cool. The water pressure is good. However, there are some nagging pains: unstable toilet seat, hard to insert outlets and leaky shower. But over all, I’m satisfied and will return.

There is a pool and a gym, etc for different price range (free or paid). A travel agency, a supermarket, a convenient store, a small eatery, cafe/bar and restaurants are on site. Bus #4 is cross the street which we take often.

北京市朝阳区北辰东路15号奥林匹克公园内

Seeing my old apartment building #28 and the Zoology Institute again.

The three story building looks like need some TLC. But most of the buildings there are in the same league.

It holds memories of our youth … Every time we pass by, we’ll recall the by gone era.

I shopped at the mall 中关村购物中心 at 海淀区中关村大街19号. The 5G …

The 70th anniversary of founding of our nation is a huge production. It reaches every realm of lives in Beijing.

The subways and roads are constantly closed, rather randomly I think: at about 8:00 pm I got off from #14 at Yongdingmen station, which means Eternal Peace Gate Station.

There are security personnel everywhere … I had to change many times to get to my destinations, from subway (Metro) to bus then back to subway.

People are watching the celebrations in the movie theaters …

Some the jokes or facts that has been making the rounds:

1. 念好吧！昨晚老石约饭局，其中一朋友家住长安街（父辈为高干）五居室，其中一室的窗户临长安街，最后彩排前，不仅他家人不能住那屋，还安排一警察住进那临街的屋，他家人说，不愿生人用卫生间，没用！一直得住到节后！全家人崩溃！太无法想象！家里平空住进一警察！这都是什么事啊！
2. 这是我一个老同学昨天在群里说的～～今天早上有一个交往多年的妹妹来找我聊天，其中就聊到70年大庆上，她家住在南池子。昨晚她爱人出门遛弯，随身带上身份证已经一个多月了，等回来时有一路口把他截住检查完身份证后又让他记住一个口令”交道口”，才能通过。等他走到家门口的那条胡同，又检查了一遍身份证然后问口号，他说”交道口”才让他回家。她说完给我逗的，这不跟搞地下工作的接头暗号呢。这也不知谁想出来了高招，而且会更换。70年大庆这动靜，我的亲娘哎，这阵子哪也别去了，指不定就回不了家了。

^{JFK Delta (terminal 4)}

It’s my first time using the service by the curbside. People working there are very casual and happy – they joke all the time and laughing. On top of that, they actually check you in, take your baggages and issue you your boarding pass or passes, in my case. But at the end, they also ask for a tip. I was a little dumbfounded but I thanked him and gave him $5. (The cart is $6 – airport charges cart … hmmm) Once in side, I saw the line to Delta check in counter is packed. Guess I was lucky to have chose the curbside service. I asked one Delta lady, “oh, they’re legit, our contractors …” And on the tipping side, she said they’re aware of it and will do something about it. “They’re being paid very little..” If tipping is expected, either raise their salary/wages or post it visibly so travelers wouldn’t be surprised?

15 Dock Square
Rockport, MA 01966

Will return.

The decoration could be better but we certainly got the best table in the restaurant. The service is good and the food is even better. The fried Haddock is excellent!

I enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc Line 39, without any trouble – alcohol wasn’t too welcome in this little dry town:

In 1856, a gang of 200 women led by Hannah Jumper swept through the town and destroyed anything containing alcohol in what is called “Rockport’s revolt against rum” and banned alcohol from the town. Except for a period in the 1930s, the town remained one of 15 Massachusetts dry towns. The town remained dry for many years until 2005, when it was voted that alcohol could be served at restaurants. Sales at stores were not allowed until March 2019, when a local market was granted a liquor license and began to sell beer and wine.

Oh may I go at the right time -:)

^{A house in the middle of a pond …}
We passed by this little charming house on the way into Rockport. Feeling enchanted and decided to go there, to discover.

A little disappointing, or we didn’t give her enough time. Anyway, we drove in and out quickly. Didn’t find her attractive, and left.

12 Bear Skin Neck
Rockport, MA 01966

Loving it.

Great view and vibe. Cute. Small. Neat.

What not to like? Two bay windows are used as condiments stations. They serve simple fares, so it could be a whole day affair.