Hello all.  I safely arrived in China last night and spent today moving into the foreign student dorm at Qinghua.  It's a decent enough facility and I'm glad to be on campus.  Unfortunately, I get the feeling that I'm living in the North Campus (UM) of Qinghua - unattractive modern architecture, far away and lots of foreign students.  That's ok though.  Parts of this university are really beautiful, with a canal cutting through it that allows for some lovely bridges, overhanging trees etc. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance to get my camera out. 

I did buy a cell phone today, so if you absolutely must reach me you can do so at (86) (151)  0160-5044.  The commercial area just outside of Qinghua (basically Wudaokou) has a nice mix of stuff.  I had lunch at a bakery...some sort of bruschetta sandwich that has yet to be invented in the US I think.  Delicious after the airplane food.  

We drove through the Olympic park on my way to the university with everything lit up. Even more stunning than on TV - I look forward to getting over there as well.  Beijing has been very un-Beijing like so far with pouring rain, fewer cars (though still plenty) and cleanish air, though I'm no atmospheric scientist.    

I'm waiting next to the elevator in my hotel this morning with this Chinese guy and his son who looks about 12, pondering the fact that I have no idea how to say "check out," what to do to get a cab on this back alley or where I'm going on the Qinghua campus.  "You study English - ask him something," says the Dad.  "I'm not prepared," responds his son.  Yeah kid, me either.