Beijing through the cracked lens of Dave Barry

Dave Barry is one of my heroes. He's a comic writing legend. And he is on fire in Beijing providing regular updates. For a taste of the games with a sense of humor, here's a bite and a link thanks to my sis (Debra Ferguson)...

Dave Barry: It's not the destination, it's the journey

By Dave Barry


BEIJING — Here's how you get around Beijing.First you go to the hotel front desk, which will be staffed by 17 people. This is one of the nice things about China: There are always plenty of people around to help. For example: In some men's rooms, there are attendants whose sole function, as far as I can tell, is to direct you to the urinals. You walk in, and there's a guy, and he makes this gesture toward the urinals, which are roughly two feet away, his point being, "Here are the urinals." And no, you do not tip him.

But getting back to the topic: When you get to the hotel front desk, the 17 people gather around and frown thoughtfully while you tell them where you want to go. Usually they have never heard of it. So they talk among themselves, make some phone calls, talk some more. You of course understand none of this conversation, because you are a clueless western idiot...

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