Trip to Beijing to meet Jonathan and Lauren

Here are Jonathan and Lauren, right off the plane. The American-looking guy in the background is sporting a polite smile but is thinking "what the %*$#!" We debated going to the Great Wall straight from the airport, but finally decided against it.

After arriving at our guesthouse, Jon and Lauren crashed for a couple of hours. Here they are after waking up, psyched to explore Beijing.

Jonathan and Lauren arrived Sunday late afternoon, and the following afternoon (Monday) we were at the Great Wall, just like that.

Jonathan and Lauren in bliss. Check out those smiles!

Just blending in with the crowd.

A couple of hutongs (the name for the alleys that Beijing is famous for).

On our second day in Beijing, we went on a nice bike ride. The first picture is one of the top of Jonathan's head. Lauren is also making an interesting face.

Beautiful street in Beijing. Strangely, when I said Beijing was beautiful, Jonathan and Lauren where like, "What you talking about, Willis?" Do you not think the below picture is beautiful? I mean, besides Lauren.

There's no excuse for a frown like this on such a beautiful day. That's my brother (with my hat), not me, for those playing the guessing game.

Jonathan and I biking. I'm showing off an impressive skill - biking in Beijing with my eyes closed!

A sequence of events. First, Jonathan's curiosity is aroused. Lauren looks on with him. Then Jon takes a whiff. Lauren says she wants the egg roll, even though it stinks, so Jonathan pushes his way to the front of the crowd. Lauren yells to Jonathan how to ask the prices in Chinese.

Pictures outside our guesthouse. Can you tell who is who? I'll give you a hint - I am the one with no style.

Me again.

After two days in Beijing, we were off to Kunming (Tuesday evening). A long delay at the airport provided ample opportunity to snap some photos.

Lauren can smell Jonathan. After eating so many dumplings the first two days in Beijing, he has a new body odor, and Lauren can't fall asleep because of it.

A proud Chinese woman with her son.

I do not have any pictures from Kunming because I lost the recharger for my digital camera.