The1Crow posing as Ronald Mcdonald's

A long day in Beijing ends again. The streets are still busy and crowded, dust and sand covers the warm asphalt. It won't take long until the night-shift janitor will roll out to cool them down with tons of water. Yes, it was a bright and sunny day. And right now we are sitting here, feeling tired and satisfied from a good Hot Pot dinner.

Dinner was quite interesting to say the least; we (except The1Crow, who was too scared!) have pretty much swallowed every part of the pig, which includes the BRAIN as well as the feet! Putting that aside, we really have thoroughly enjoyed the dinner, since the restaurant's service was top-notch. In fact, it wasn't too expensive either!

To everyone that is currently residing in Beijing or will be visiting Beijing soon, we sincerely recommend this restaurant; it has quite a few branches spread across the entire city. The name of it is 海底捞 (pronounced as - hai di lao).

Pig's brain.... mmmhmm

Before that, we were checking out a park (玉渊潭公园 - Yu yuan tan park) in the west of that unbelievable large city. But it seems that the size of the Beijing is not the real issue but the heavy traffic. The streets are crowded every day from six in the morning until midnight and you may never reach a higher speed in the taxi then more then 30 km/h. Only at the side of the street where the drivers are able to speed up to 60 or so.

The park we visited allows one to relax and it makes you feel as if you are in another city. Suddenly you see a lot of green, flowers everywhere and happy people that are totally slowed down. Mainly the park is visited by young lovers, parents with their children and older people that even do not have to pay the entrance fee of 2 RMB (that is less then 20 Euro Cent). Also a large lake is located inside of the park, where you are able to rent a boat. The leaves are green, spring is almost gone and summer is to start soon.

But that park is only one of a couple in Beijing. A thing that you won't find for exmaple in the other megacity of China: Shanghai. A good thing of Beijing here to run away from all the stress, the crowded streets and the smog - at least for a few hours.

HOT POT !

No, it doesn't say GAY on my shirt!

Park entrance

Magnificent view from the park

Flowers for sale

Someone really needs to start working out!

The lake at the park