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Traveling, I am acutely aware of the US dollar’s strength. I often check the local exchange rates now, so I can see just how far my savings will take me. With my international plane tickets already paid for, my biggest cut into that savings is me sleeping. And as the Chinese yuan climbs in strength to our dollar, I’m often doing the mental math of just how much that gain will affect me once I get to said place and have to pay for the room.

As I started this journey, I had a couple of requirements for where I’d lay my weary head. I’m a pretty low-maintenance gal, so all I said I needed was: 1) my own room and 2) a good internet connection in my room or one that was easily accessible in the lobby. I thought my best bet would be staying in single rooms at hostels.

And for the last week in Beijing, I stayed at a quaint hostel that had a great front-desk staff, daily free breakfasts, and an unfaltering wireless network. I also slept on a twin bed and shared a bathroom with I don’t know how many others. And that’s OK. I’ve “bathed” with wet wipes and used an outhouse for God’s sake (which it actually was…I was helping build a non-denominational church camp for inner city kids from Chihuahua, Mexico). But that was a few years ago. And I had reason to do it; I had no choice. But a few days ago when I booked the rest of my trip in China, I realized that I actually DO have a choice. So, as I reserved my rooms, I added one more thing to my list of “musts” for places I’ll stay: 3) must have own toilet/shower in room.

Checking into my new room, I’m ecstatic. I’m probably the only Westerner in the whole hotel (which I enjoy, because I know it will force me to learn a bit more Chinese), but I have a Western-style toilet, a shower stall, and a closet. Who knew this would make me so happy? And even with today’s unfavorable exchange rate, it should only be about $9 USD more a night. Definitely worth it, my dears. And here’s to hoping our dollar gains in strength!

I have to say the best part of being Asian here in Beijing is that I have generally avoided being seen as a “tourist with a wallet.” On more than one occasion I’ve laughed at the bicycle-for-hire or taxi guys that look past me but go running toward the white people behind me.

However, on Friday all that was different. I found myself near Silk Alley, so I decided to venture in to see if I could find some hiking boots. Big mistake. Big. Huge. (10 points if you remember what US movie’s shopping scene that is from) The place was packed with tourists, mostly American, and it was a general nightmare. The first stall I stopped at was fine. I tried on the shoes, but they didn’t fit. The girl was intrigued by my American accent but shrugged when I said I didn’t want them. I moved on to the row of shoe vendors. At this stall, imitation brands abounded. I saw a pair of “Timberland”s and asked to try them on in my size. The girl looked and couldn’t find any so decides to tell me that I could take them in the size on display “for a very good price.” First off, the “very good price” was about the cost of real Timberlands in the US (not even as a starting price for bargaining, is this reasonable); second off, THEY WEREN’T IN MY SIZE! When I told her no thanks, she says she’ll get them for me in my size, “but let’s talk price first.” I tell her “No, that’s OK.” As I get up to leave, she grabs my arm — which is completely surprising given the culture. When I look at her hand and say, “That’s OK, thank you,” she tightens her grip. I actually had to start prying her fingers from around my bicep.

After wandering around for a few minutes more, I’m grabbed at many more times. Leaving the whole mall area (without hiking boots), I was a bit saddened by how the “tourist with a wallet” idea had made these young girls start acting. The open desperation and money chasing was far different from how I’ve seen most Chinese act toward me. Blech. It’s times like this when I hate being a tourist.