Christmas in Beijing

While Christmas in Beijing certainly wasn't quite like home, we had a very festive, little holiday. Christmas Day both Will and I worked and then had our friends, Renny and AJ, over for dinner. We made osso bucco and risotto and green beans - a bit challenging with just two burners, but I'm learning how to be a bit creative with my cooking (and have learned that you can cook more than just rice in a rice cooker.) We also made brownies in our little toaster oven. It was a fun night.










Our apartment complex was also quite festive with many lights, Christmas trees and tinsel. There were actually a lot of Christmas decorations around the city.











Christmas Day we went to church in the morning. There are few churches in Beijing that are condoned by the government - the mass we attended was packed. The mass was in English and in French. It was really neat to be able to sing Christmas carols and witness the familiar rituals of a mass - halfway across the world.











After mass we headed out to the burbs for Christmas brunch. Friends had recommended a spot named The Orchard - and it was definitely worth the trek. The restaurant is located in a bizarre neighborhood just outside Beijing, which is filled with western style villas among empty fields of land and construction. Nonetheless - the restaurant was perfect - just what we were looking for. Great food, comforting ambiance.











All in all we had a lovely Christmas, but are looking forward to celebrating with friends and family soon!