Day 3 in Beijing

Day 3 in Beijing started on my own catching the subway to my Mandarin class.  This time I was more conservatively dressed but I still stuck out like a sore thumb.  I think I'm just much rock-n-roll for Beijing.  Funny, I feel so tough compare to all the women here with my buckled boots and leather jacket.  In New York I feel like a wimp.  Small chance I'll be getting mugged here. Figured out something very important today.  The subway map I downloaded from the internet before leaving LA is out of date.  Of course, the subway line I'm on has been completely revamped.  Thank goodness I remembered my guide, Mable, telling me in passing on day 1 that the subway station looks so new because it's only about a year old.  Unfortunately there are no new maps available at the subways station, so I spent the time on the subway jotting down all the differences, looking like a complete foreigner, once again.  After all of that, I realized I had my camera with me and I could simply take a photo, duh.Ventured back out again after class to the area closer to Chaoyang park where I figured more of the action is (not that Beijing is lacking in action anywhere) but I thought I might be able to find more of a walking area with shops and stuff.  I got off at a stop close to the park and just wondered around.  I happened to stumble upon a local market where I was able to find brown rice, something I was unsuccessful in finding at the large supermarket downstairs.   It was pretty intimidating trying to buy the rice without being able to speak the language yet, but the guy who was working there was super helpful and I managed to buy what I think is a kilo of my cherished brown rice.   Feeling pretty accomplished after that little task, but not enough to brave the banana cart on the corner near my stop.  I really wanted to buy a couple of bananas but I was still too intimidated by my lack of Mandarin to try.  Maybe next week.