The National Art Museum and a Harrowing Experience

After getting back into the rhythm of school and life in Beijing this week, I returned to the Drum Tower on Saturday because it was closed the last time we attempted to go. Unfortunately, even though the last time we went there was a sign indicating it would be open by November 17th, it was still closed. I still had an interesting time wandering around the alleys in the Drum Tower neighborhood, which have old authentic Chinese shops.

I also visited the National Art Museum of China, which had an interesting combination of traditional and modern Chinese art.

Finally, I returned to Jingshan Park, which is becoming one of my favorite places in the city because of its breathtaking views of the Forbidden City.

Because the park is far from the nearest subway station, my friends and I decided to take a rickshaw (which is basically an enclosed 3-wheeled motorcycle) to the subway. There were three of us but only two seats inside, so I was standing hunched over in the rickshaw when I leaned against the side. I didn’t realize that there was a very unsteady door there, so as soon as I put my weight on it the door swung open and I almost fell out of the rickshaw going 30 mph in the middle of city traffic. It was perhaps one of the most harrowing experiences of my time in China. Thankfully I caught myself before I could fall out though, and now I have a good story to tell!