Xidan Market trip

Tennis Shoes:
I am certain few are aware of the current state of my tennis shoes. Cullen has threatened to buy me a new pair since 2 days before we left for China... when he looked with dismay upon them. Several times he has referred to them as "dirt farmer" shoes. He actually threw them in the washing machine last week in an attempt to improve their appearance (or destroy them.. I'm still not certain which).

Every time I put on my tennis shoes, I take pride in every inch of dirt on them. I worked in the yard, walked the dogs, and painted many a wall with these tennis shoes on. Not to mention that I purchased them with my first animation job dollars... I am very happy and proud of these Nike AIR shoes. They are comfortably broken in, and bear the markings of many good deeds done.

My philosophy on tennis shoes is very similar to my philosophy on Pick-up trucks. I think they should be used and dirty. If they are clean and shiny, they are either bran spankin' new, or aren't being used properly.

Cullen throwing them in the washing machine didn't phase them.

We went to Xidan market to pick up some tea and look for some spices. We are still hunting for some Oregano and Basil. It has to be somewhere. They appear to have everything else.

We entered the market, and went straight for the tea. The tea is in numerous glass jars overflowing. I was after some serious Jasmine tea. They also sold me on some flowering tea. The flowers fully open when submerged in hot water.

After acquiring my teas we headed to the escalators...

"I clean your shoes, free... no charge!" The small Chinese man was adamant... he wouldn't let me get by, and actually started cleaning my shoes while I was walking... and of course, Cullen was laughing and forcing me to stop too...

"Well, you get your wish," I looked at Cullen as he nodded approvingly at the Chinese man on his knees rubbing at the dingy sole of my shoe...

The dirt was rubbing off... I couldn't decide if I was happy about it or not, but the man continued to clean, so I just let him... I figured he wouldn't try to clean the fabric, just the sole... so I was safe....

Then he pulled out the other cleaner... for the fabric. I was well aware that this wouldn't take the old paint off my tennies... but it certainly worked off some of the dirt... water was soaking through to my socks...

Never fear, my shoes are still the warriors of a year of yard work, and will never be beautifully white again... not if I have anything to say about it. This guy's cleaners worked some powerfully impressive magic on my shoes though. They almost sold a Chinese woman... and that's no easy task. The soles are actually white again. The magic is reminiscent of another tool I used to use back home... good old Magic Erasers. Yes, We bought 3 of these magic tools... and are ready to use them for purposes not on the packaging...

Shopping:
In perfect cosmic retribution, Cullen got his shoes cleaned by another guy on the next floor.

We left that shopping center for the one across the street. We were still in search of some good old spices. Unfortunately the one across the street happened to be a good old fashioned American style mall. This mall was complete with a Saphora, a French Connection, and... a Dairy Queen. Believe it or not, there is a Dairy Queen in a mall in Beijing, China. The floors of this mall are named, and the Dairy Queen is right at the top of the escalator of the "Happy" floor. You can bet we were happy when we saw it. Blizzards... oh joy!

We went all the way to the top of the mall where they have the Cinema. There were floors named, "Childish", "Dating", "Trendy", and "Sporty." I felt that the names for the floors were pretty good... they stuck to the ideas really well... though I tried to stay off the "trendy" floor with my "Dirt farmer" looking shoes.

To our amazement, there was really no oregano or basil to be found in this mall... maybe we will have better luck next time.

In case anyone is wondering, Cullen is really really good at driving his Electric bicycle here. He is an expert... even with my added weight on the back.