We are currently in Beijing, just getting ready to head to the airport to catch our flight to the USA.

Yesterday and today have been beautiful days in Beijing. Blue skies and minimal pollution and haze is what makes a beautiful Beijing day.

Unfortunately, those conditions usually only occur after a strong, windy cold front has blown through from Siberia and Mongolia to the north.

So, when the sky is blue and and clear, the temps are usually in the 20's at best, with strong winds making the wind chills drop below zero.

Such was yesterday. The picture above was actually taken in early January last year on a day that was nearly identical to yesterday. This is a typical view of the city of Beijing from about 9 stories up.