Bái tiān (Day), Hēi yè (Night )

Bái tiān (Day) 

Week Three was my first out on the field and unlike the fate of many who are seconded to Melbourne, I did not have to venture far, just a couple of blocks down from my apartment. Given the client is a leading social game developer in China and Japan, I was equally excited to see the company's headquarters as to be working with my first PwC audit team of nine staff (relatively large when compared to Melbourne, but quite typical for here).

Although I had expectations of a lofty silicon valley esque-office, I was not totally disappointed. Upon walking into the reception, although I was overcome by the acrid smell of smoke, I was also greeted with a flashing colourful display of HD screens and unsurprisingly, staff casually clad in tees, jeans and sneakers.

My favourite part of the day was definitely lunch! As opposed to at home, where lunch breaks are frequently forgone in order to leave the office on time, the culture here is to enjoy a one to two hour midday break and re-engerize for a more productive afternoon. On my first day at the client, my very friendly team and I strolled down the road to a private room for a traditional round table feast of chicken, beef, fish, egg, rice, noodle and congee dishes. Ordering can obviously be difficult whereby extensive menus are presented like jumbled photo albums, which is why I am told a CFO (Chief Food Officer) is always appointed. On our second day we made our way to the infamous Guijie or 'Ghost' St (apparently due the fact its restaurants are open all night for taxi drivers) where we devoured Szechuan style pan fried fish drowning in chillies, garlic and oil, piled with sweet potato slices, tofu skin noodles, steamed cabbage and enoki mushrooms. And this was followed by iphone kareoke, naturally. Such lunches are a daily treat along with oranges and nashi pears offered by the client each each afternoon.

Breakfast on the way to work

On the way to work...

Office Lunching

Office Lunching

And we only ordered level 1 on the chilli scale

Hēi yè (Night )

Beijing has also been busy by night with many word-of-mouth type events popping up from commemorating Anzac day with a BBQ and a footy match viewing hosted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce to celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut with people from all over the world, Israeli food, music and of course Kedem wine. 

On the way to Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations with Katharina from Austria

Zhōumò (Weekend)

My weekend highlight was Sunday spent with Warren and Monique from Melbourne who I met at the AustChamb drinks and Monique's friend Amanda. We enjoyed a relaxing 3 course brunch and Pimms on the rooftop at the beautiful Melbournian owned Capital M overlooking Tienanmen Square. This was followed by a visit to the Red Gate Ming-era Gallery inside Dongbianmen Watchtower, one of the last standing gates surrounding the palace city given most were apparently demolished in the 50's by Mao to make way for new roads and buildings. Here we viewed an interesting mix of ancient relics and mod art. 

Capital M Brunch with Monique, Amanda and Warren from Melbourne

Red Gate Gallery

4Corners for "Ben's" birthday

Meeting Ben!

Yep. Sleeping. Just like at work!

At Tammy's for a home cooked meal. 

Yashow Market...lucky I stopped collecting Hello Kitty many years ago!

And this pretty much sums up my days, nights and weekend. Until next time, Zai Jian xx