A China Holiday: Day Five

Day Five was a travel day--we flew from Shanghai north to Beijing. We were picked up at the airport by a driver we'd hired and taken to Panjiayuan Flea Market. Fun, if chilly (it was drizzling but this was a covered market, so much better than the day before!).

Again, lots of "antiques" here but lots of fun stuff to look at as well. There were stalls being run by Miao women (a so-called Chinese ethnic minority) who wore lovely headdresses over elaborate hairdos (too dark to get a good photo, plus I felt awkward); these women were doing beautiful hand needlework (sewing and embroidery).
Piles and piles and piles of beads...
Shadow puppets...
Who knows?!
We went then to our hotel, the lovely Shangri-la, a real oasis. Every day in the elevator they tell you what day it is.
We were all hungry, so we struck out (across a very busy multi-lane road) in search of food. This restaurant specialized in Peking duck. I ordered a most delicious scallion cake. Yum!
The red seat covers are a) emblazoned with ads for Coca-Cola; and b) not seat covers at all--they are to put over your jacket so that food doesn't get spilled on it. Clever!