Wang Xiaohong
Where are you from?
China
How long have you been in Beijing?
14 years.
What do you do?
I am a biology teacher at Sanlitun Middle School.
How many kids do you have?
One girl – she’s 8 years old.
Where do you like to shop?
ONLY and the French store Etam.
What food do you prefer?
We like spicy Sichuan food.
What outdoor activities do you like?
I like all of them, especially ice skating.
What will you miss most about winter?
The long holiday.
What are you looking forward to in the spring?
Running.
Clifford Coonan
Where are you from?
Dublin, Ireland
What’s your occupation?
I’m a journalist.
How many kids do you have?
Two. Fred is 7 and Anna is almost 2.
How long have you lived in Beijing?
Six years.
Where is your favorite place to shop?
Columbia and H&M.
What’s your favorite activity?
We love walking in the mountains. Our favorite spots are Fragrant Hills and the Great Wall.
What are your favorite restaurants?
Din Tai Fung and Maison Boulud.
What will you miss about winter?
We’ll miss the clear skies, seeing Avatar, the snow, and sledding at the Great Wall.
What do you look forward to in the spring?
Not wearing so many clothes and taking less time to get ready.
Camilla Ceder
Where are you from?
Sweden
What do you do in Beijing?
I’m a marketing director.
How old is your daughter?
Nicole is one month.
How long have you been living in Beijing?
Over a year.
Where is your favorite place to shop?
The Village at Sanlitun.
What’s your favorite outdoor activity?
I love going for walks. My favorite is from Jingshen to Simatai [Great Wall].
What are your favorite restaurants?
Kagen Teppanyaki and Hatsune.
What do you look forward to in the spring?
I’m looking forward to Chinese New Year, because I’m going home to Sweden. My family and I also plan to travel around Asia.
Ana Cob
Where are you from?
Spain
Tell us about your baby girl.
Her name is Carmen and she is almost 3 months old.
Where do you like to shop?
I like to go to Zara, Mango and H&M.
Where do you shop for your daughter?
I get her clothes at Yashow Market.
What will you miss most about winter?
I will miss wearing scarves.
What do you do in Beijing?
I’m a librarian at Beijing BISS International School.
What is your favorite book?
Catcher in the Rye – I first read it when I was 13.
Kerstin Knote
How long have you been in Beijing?
This is our second time to Beijing. We’ve been in Beijing for over two years, but 10 years all together. Our first time to the capital was in the ’80s.
What brings you back to Beijing?
We love Beijing! Also, my daughter is half-Chinese.
How old is your daughter?
Sophie is 13 years old. She attends a German school.
Where are you from originally?
Germany.
Where do you work?
I work for the Cultural Section of the German embassy.
Where do you like to shop?
I love the small Chinese shops in Gulou – they’re unique.
What will you miss about winter?
Sledding.
Deng Jianni
Where are you from?
Guangdong province.
What’s your occupation?
I work in an office.
How old is your son?
Louise is 7 years old.
Where does he go to school?
Baijiazhuang Primary School.
How long have you been in Beijing?
Two years.
Where do you like to shop for your son?
At Adidas and the Mickey Mouse shop.
What are your favorite restaurants?
Chao Dian in The Village. We like food that is not too spicy.
What will you miss most about winter?
Ice skating.
