Dateline: Beijing
I managed to stay awake until 8.30pm (8.30 am in the US). Go to sleep on local time has always been my strategy for dealing with jet-lag. Unfortunately I woke up at 3am and am now in my (very lovely) hotel room waiting for the city to wake up.
Now where's that room service menu?...
I just caught the end of a documentary on CNN about the New York Philharmonic's visit to N Korea earlier this year (imitation, flattery etc). I don't remember the Philadelphia Orchestra's visit here in 1973 (I was eight) which this tour celebrates. I'd love to hear from anyone who can recall how it was seen in the US and around the world. Leave a comment by clicking the blog button or email me ( jim@wrti.org) and I'll post it.
I hear there's a ceremonial raising of the Chinese flag in Tiannemen Square at dawn each day. It's now 4.12 am so that's where I'm headed.
