Today is my first full day in Beijing, so after finishing unpacking I went across the street to pick up a magazine for the month’s activities and events. Paged through it, checking stuff here and there — and then came across a TWO-PAGE SPREAD featuring Ellen and her book, Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me. What a surprise – so she is here before I am! She is due to arrive here from Seattle on Saturday to participate in the International Book Festival this month.
Otherwise, my arrival has not been very auspicious. I arrived in late afternoon, and on the ride to Beijing on the expressway everything, even the air, was gray. Cars were driving with their headlights on. The leafless gray trees along the highway seemed to be reaching for sustenance, and the afternoon sun was anemic orange-red ball that disappeared into the haze as we got closer to the city. It really leaves a strong visual effect. Here is a photo taken from our apartment (17th floor) in mid-morning. Ive been struggling to decide what color that haze is – there seems to be a strong component of violet there.
