Big Mao and Fries to go.....

In the 12 years that I had been away from China one of the most significant changes that seem to have occurred is the Great Capitalist Leap Forward. When I left in 1993, the treasure chest that is the Chinese economy was just beginning to open up to the outside world. We were there for the opening of the first Mcdonalds, a behemoth of a store , right on the corner of Tiananmen Square. In the land of the mysterious east a big mac was exotic cuisine.

"Now all restaurants are Taco Bell...." err...I mean McDonalds. 12 years have bought a level of 'capitalist' punishment you wouldnt beleive. There is a franchise fast food store at every other corner including near the hutongs in Beijing. The beijing landscape which was always unique to me with its grey, blocky communist era buildings and their colorless facades is now a neon, glittering, smorgasboard of advertising and retail. Free market enterprise is everwhere and the city seems to be bursting with economic vitality. I think they've beaten the Russian model to reform by a mile. But in some ways its a little sad to say goodbye to the old quaint city.

There is even a fast food restaurant opposite the old diplomatic quarter called Uncle Sam. The chairman is probably turning in his grave...which he isn't even in. But I do have a confession to make. After a few consecutive days of having authentic chinese for every meal, my american stomach began craving for a nice fat juicy processed meat burger and I indulged. I will have you know that Big Mac in China tastes a billion times better than the garabage they have in the States. Most be something in the meat or the fact that they cater to an audience that treats the meal as a 'fancy' one.