First trip out post-pandemic

At the starting gate: people waiting to head down to the train platform at Beijing South RR Station. China experienced a severe pandemic for months, but the Chinese haven't missed a beat. Traffic jams are back to normal, factories are cranking out goods, the air pollution is back with a vengeance, and the hotels are filling up again. 

God only knows how many of these Chinese bullet train photos I've taken these past 4 years, dozens. My first trip out post-pandemic so I'm taking it easy with a trip to nearby Jinan, only about 2 hours south of Beijing via bullet train. 

A good tea blend for the ride - - hibiscus, cinnamon sticks, cherry fruit blend, dried lemon slices, and, something new I just discovered and really like - tiny black dried plums. 

6 months hunkered down in the US without travel and I'd forgotten how much I love hoteling in China. The hotel lobby, pools, gym, breakfast buffet all open for business now, and things are looking up for the travel industry in China. 

Great view from my room. That's Jinan's huge Olympic Park across the street from the hotel. 

Chinese hotel lobbies often have beautiful flower arrangements. 

 

Above 3 photos: Jinan's beautiful Baotu Springs. 

Today I ordered a pair of prescription sunglasses, including readers at the bottom of the lenses. But this woman (on the right) simply wears her reading glasses over her sunglasses. 

Above 2 photos: taken at Jinan's 1000 Buddha Mountain. 

Me doing yoga at 5:30 in the morning. 

Possibly good advice for some, but Dawn encourages me to take trips to provide her with some much needed alone time. 

After years of putting it off I finally broke down and got some glasses. What a difference - - like a visual epiphany, all has suddenly become clear to me.