Second star to the left...

Peking University Law School has not yet approved our dissertation defenses.  The government may even deny our visa request, now that Colorado's count of H1N1 cases has risen.  

And yet, due to the wonders of 14-day advance purchase rules, we have purchased plane tickets that place us in Beijing from the 23rd through the 26th.  Not long, I know, but we also want to spend some time in Kyoto if we're going to be in Asia.

We thought about staying at the Zhongguancun Furama Xpress, for old time's sake, but the Wenjin on Chengfulu looks more appealling these days.  Four stars is better than two.

More importantly, however, the Wenjin is across the street from Ganges (best Indian food on the planet, hold the Mumbai) and our favorite Anhui restaurant, not to mention within walking distance of our old stomping ground (and that of every other Haidian laowai), the Bridge Cafe.  Who needs the Great Wall when you can eat the Chinese equivalent of shtetl food, "Across the Bridge Noodles"?

Nimen hao, y'all.