Day 6: Forbidden City

Took a break from our business planning and went to the Forbidden City despite the frigid weather. It is officially known as the Palace Museum (Gugong) and was the exclusive domain of the imperial court and dignitaries until the abdication in 1912.

Day 5: Panjiayuan Antiques Market

Went to Panjiayuan Antiques Market, where my friend and I ended up buying some really cool paintings. It was freezing, no kidding. Our fingers and toes went numb and I now have a little understanding of what it’s like to freeze to death. This week’s meant to be the coldest time of the year in Beijing.

Bought this magnificent painting!

Although eighty percent of what is sold here is fake, it’s still a great place to shop for gifts and knickknacks. I stumbled across a really pretty, hardbound Alice in Wonderland storybook, with the title engraved in pink and black. It would have been an excellent gift for a curious little lady. I regret not buying it!

Day 3: Inner Mongolia

Headed to Starbucks located just around the corner from where we lived to continue with our prototype. We live FAR from everywhere else in Beijng, so much so that one magazine described traveling to our district as trekking all the way to Inner Mongolia. I have to agree. Nee, 2 other friends and I went to Inner Mongolia last National Holiday and we were on the bus for almost 14 hours! It was such an unforgettable trip. One memory that stood out is when we were horseback riding – Nee broke her finger as she had a stubborn horse, my friend’s face swelled up with allergies, and my other friend’s finger started bleeding from grasping the rope too hard.

Whether in Inner Mongolia or Manila, we'll always take the road less travelled.

Day 1: Start of Something New

Hello everyone, welcome to our blog. Our story starts right here, right now –

Nee and I have known each other for almost 6 years but our paths have crossed even back when we were 5 years old, but that’s another story to tell. Towards the end of her university, she came up with a food concept while living in New York and LA. It is only now that the time is ripe to launch the idea in Manila.

We decided to put up this blog to create a momento of what is going to be a challenging, sleepless, exciting and crazy journey. Today we’ve started writing up our business plan from our soon to be ex-flat in Beijing and have discovered so many loopholes.  It’s gonna be a looongggg day. Nevertheless, I’m ready, Nee’s ready, we’re both ready. BRING IT ON!

This is Val, signing out.