The first 2 weeks .....

25.8. - 8.9.19

Here we go: After two great weeks in Bavaria (with a great wedding as the grand finale), we finally started on Sunday, the 25th of August.

One year in China: with mixed feelings, we boarded the plane in Munich. It flew via Moscow to Beijing. We arrived a bit tired on Monday morning (4:00 am local time, China is 6 hours ahead). School started at 8 am; we quickly went back to the apartment and then went to a small enrollment celebration at DSP (German School Beijing). Finn started third grade and Leonie started seventh grade.

They were warmly welcomed at DSP, both by the teachers and the classmates. The school also has a large extracurricular program for parents and children, as well as many activities for the whole family throughout the year.

We have a fantastic apartment that is over 200 square meters. Officially, it is 270 square meters (including the hallway, elevator, parking space, etc.) but you can always deduct 30% for those areas. We can also use the fitness club, which is located below our building in a mall, as well as the 20-meter swimming pool.

We quickly adjusted to our new life here. The best part is that you can go shopping everywhere, there is really everything and it's incredibly delicious. From dumplings to German sausages.

The traffic is insane, there are electric scooters, bicycles, cars, honking, and crowds everywhere......

Everyone drives according to their own rules, but we still enjoy riding bicycles, a little excitement is part of it.....

We spent the first weekend at Ikea; yes :) you read that right! Ikea is exactly like in Germany. They have everything..... even hot dogs. We bought all sorts of decorations, flowers, cutlery, and cups...

On Sunday, we took the subway to the nearby Chaoyang Park. It's a huge park with various recreational activities: boating on the lake, a small zoo, a climbing park, and many other attractions. It's really great. We will definitely go back there.

The kids enjoy going to school, but there is a lot to learn and practice. Time flies by. Does time go faster in China?

Even during the week, time flies by: with sports, homework, practicing, baking from the Harry Potter book, shopping, exploring...

On the second weekend, we went to the big Hongqiao Market on Saturday. It's incredible what you can buy there. From Lego to Prada. Everyone picked something...

On Sunday, we visited the Hutongs in Dongzhimen. It's a beautiful area in Beijing. Small traditional houses; you can imagine how the Chinese lived here before the high-rise buildings. There is a typical tourist street with shops, restaurants, and kiosks. We also had a very delicious meal there. But if you go a bit off the beaten path, you can still see the original life. It's really great.

Coming up next, we will visit the Lama Temple, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Sanlitun (pronounced Sanlintur by the locals), and much more. The kids are going on a class trip.

We are excited and will continue to report.