Cappuccino opens with belly dancing

On 18 August 2014 I was invited for the opening of restaurant bar Cappuccino, at the corner of Sanlitun Street and Dongzhimenwai Street (Beijing).

The staff was pretty lost that night and I hope they now know where to find the beer. Luckily the person who invited me was super kind and attentful.
It was fun to see the show with the belly dancing.
In Beijing, pretty much anything is possible. Did not return there as it seems no more shows and the food was not convincing.
That location has gone through several owners and restaurants. Once Mexican, than Scandinavian, now? Let’s see how long they will last. Beijing is a tough place for a restaurant… Ask Temple Restaurant… Now pretty much doomed…  See: TRB: www.trb-cn.com/

Worker’s Stadium in icily holiday spirit

In my series, “China Views”, see here night views of the north side of the Worker’s Stadium in Beijing.

Festive spirit, Chinese style with ice sculptures exhibition inside the stadium.
Opening time: looks like December – January period at least.

Rotary Lunch 20 January

Another great speaker: Mr. Francisco Perez-Canado, Minister Counsellor, Head of the Trade Section at the Delegation of the European Union, who spoke about EU China Trade Relations. He did not need any paper… straight from the mouth! Great overview of a complex situation.
Paul Harris Fellowship Award: IPP Ruby presented a Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) to Rtn Urpo to acknowledge his outstanding contributions to the club.

Thanks to Celine for the pics.
The Rotary Beijing Annual Charity Ball will be on Saturday, May 23, 2015 in Kempinski Hotel. The theme will be “Broadway in Beijing”. See the flyer! Reserve your seat!

If we would turn around the whole discussion on “immigration”…

See here, translated from the Dutch (without changing much), an interesting perspective on the heated discussion about immigration and freedom of religion/expression currently going on in Europe. Received from a Belgian friend.
Pretty well said. I challenge anybody to question or criticize the idea. It is plain logic and reciprocity. And humorous (a word some people do not understand, obviously). Seems politicians fail to understand it either.

Letter from a Belgian citizen on the “Anatomy of the Islamic State”:
I am addressing myself to the Muslims of France, Belgium and Europe.
My family and myself would like to move to Morocco, Algeria or Turkey.
My neighbors and friends, who are close to us, would love to follow us, of course also their family and friends, as well as their friends, and so on.
We would move to your country in large numbers, and as we are all Catholic, churches should be built, streets should be closed to allow our processions (don’t worry, it happens rarely like once a year for Holy Virgin Mary and not like five times a day).
We also want you ban your religious celebrations as those would insult our Christian community.
We also want our children to attend school with the Cross hanging around their neck and we also want to enjoy our ham sandwich at school or at the office.
If that would not be allowed could you indicate the nearest police station where we can report discrimination?
I thank you in advance for your understanding,
Signed: millions of Europeans with or without a religion.