 Matt Bell - Bellcore | All Comments |
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| 3rd May 2008 Chris | Same scam / same girls!! - From: The Beijing Tea Scam Yep, got done myself by the SAME GILRS (+ one other called Lilly) not in the photo. My bill was over 2000RMB for a few cups. I refused to pay all, the girls offered to pay their portion so I shelled out some 500RMB... They have excellent English and seemed natural. Just practiced obviously! Can't believe the same girls are photographed here!! Thx Matt! |
| 3rd May 2008 Chris | Same girls / same trick!!! - From: The Beijing Tea Scam I can't believe this blog from Matt. I got done exactly the same way BY the same GIRLS in your photo. There was one other called Lilly that is not in the photo. This was May 2008, just a few days ago near Tiananmen. My bill was 2100RMB! I freaked, refused to pay all though paid 500RMB, still $80+ for some shit tea! The girls speak very good English. I feel like reporting them to the police now that I have read this... A clever scam indeed, they were very convincing though as I can't see just very well practiced! Thanks for your post Matt. |
| 13th April 2008 Jon | I got out scott free - From: The Beijing Tea Scam My friend and I were wondering if these things were scams, so when he left Beijing early, i had some time to kill so I went for the tea, refused to eat the fruit (i saw a sign at 100rmb a plate), then when one girl got up to get the server i got up as well (against the wishes of the other girl) stood by the door, didn't even bother looking at the bill luckly had exact change for the tea (30rmb) stuffed it in the hands of the girl and walked out the door! As i walked out i heard the girls complaining that I wasn't paying for the 150rmb room fee. It was well worth the 30rmb. I was going to pick up a Starbucks Latte anyways so i probably saved myself a couple RMB! And i had about 5 cups of tea (they were probably going to try to charge me 30 per glass too right?) |
| 13th April 2008 Garry | tea scam - From: The Beijing Tea Scam we showed up, they showed up. At first when we confronted them they tried to act as if we didn't know what we were talking about. However as time went on and we threatened to go to the police, they had us wait with one of the girls while the other went and got our money back. Since we have now learnt of this scam its absolutely amazing how many times we've been approached since, with basically the same line. Hello, how are you, where are you from, we are learning english do you mind if we walk with you. My standard answer is No thanks I've already had my tea. |
| 12th April 2008 Garry | us too - From: The Beijing Tea Scam yes we got snookered by the scam last evening in Beijing. Very nice girls said they were english teachers. Even after I knew this was a scam I couldn't believe these nice girls were part of it, so I offered to buy dinner for them tonight. I wonder if they will show up? 2nd question is what should I do if they do? |
| 19th February 2008 Bellcore | Smart arse - From: Bellster lands on his feet again I would write about May Days but I don't know what you mean when you say would be 'intersted'. Touche! |
| 19th February 2008 Frank G | May Day - From: Bellster lands on his feet again I would be really intersted to hear more about May Days! Go for it! |
| 19th February 2008 Bellcore | You learn something new every day - From: Into Belarus That's actually very interesting - I knew the cold weather caused problems but it could have been a lot different if the Germans could have used their trains. |
| 18th February 2008 Megan | Americans - From: Bellster lands on his feet again Yes, we Americans get excited at just about anything; hooting and hollaring so everyone can hear. It's pretty embarrassing! Although I think the rocket launch is pretty spectacular. The Universal Studios you went to is in Orlando. And I will read anything you post cuz I am a bored mommy on my days off so blog away about chicken wings or any interesting places you may have scratched. |
| 18th February 2008 Rustralian | WWII - From: Into Belarus The different gauge of train track was also a very important factor in the defeat of the German Army when they invaded Russia in WWII. With Hitler's boys having to leave their trains at the border they had to rely upon horse, mule and man to carry their supplies to the front line and with the Russian winter being in full swing ... they didn't do so well with horse, mule and man ... |
| 14th February 2008 Bellcore | Conspiracy theory - From: Bellster lands on his feet again That's probably why we weren't allowed to cross the line - we could have ended up stepping on the rocket. Either that or it was a massive projector screen and they didn't want us stepping in front of the projector and causing a sillouhette on the toy rocket and causing everybody to tut and say "down in front". My blog is probably going to be taken offline now Mike's discovered the secret. |
| 14th February 2008 Bellcore | Crossed fingers - From: Another slight change of plan You can uncross your fingers, the launch was last Thursday and it was successful. You've let me down Meg - I've put all my energy into not insulting dumb Americans and there you go letting the side down... There's not much sun to soak up at the moment as it has been pissing stair rods for the last couple of days. I still have a few days to at least make it look like I've seen the sun. |
| 13th February 2008 Megan | gaters - From: Another slight change of plan You call that a gut?? Not quite, but I do like the sideburns. Its windy and cold here in the high desert, so I'm pretty jealous you're soaking up the sun. Glad you're having fun again! I'm crossing my fingers for the shuttle launch! |
| 12th February 2008 Bellcore | - From: Moscow Thanks for your comments Anna, I think you're being a little paranoid and you read through the blog again - you'll notice that I said the language was hard to understand, which it is - it wasn't a criticism of Moscow. I'm not sure why you think I was surprised everything was in the native language. And it's not really the same as French and Italian as they use the Roman alphabet so you can work a lot of words out. |
| 11th February 2008 mike | rocket - From: Bellster lands on his feet again Was that a toy rocket cos it looks really small in the picture where it is in the sky? I know all about scale and that and the smoke ploom is extremely narrow and unlikely to be that of a rocket. I would estimate the actual 'rocket' to have been 6 inches tall, about the size of the average dick - although nowhere near the size of mine, which is massive. With this in mind, I can only presume that you are prevented from being any closer than six miles from the 'launch' because the rockets are tiny and man has never actually been to the moon. |
| 10th February 2008 Anna | - From: Moscow Dear Matt! I'm upset you to have so negative impression about Moscow! What about English and Russian, you visited Russia where the native language is Russian as in France - French, Italy - Italian, etc. So, don't be surprise when you arrive to any country and there is everything written by native language. I visited last year Italy, there nobody speaks English! But you could see names of streets and metro stations written Russian and English both. The second one is your foto with unknown Cathedral - it is Church of St. Vasiliy. If you want to answer me and argue you are welcome to ICQ 198189868. Best regards, Anna from Russia, Moscow. |
| 8th February 2008 Linsey | Back to geordie land - From: Another slight change of plan Hey matt, just been reading your last installment, sorry to hear that it hasn't worked out too well with the travelling lark, I agree though - hostels do just not sit well with us posh birds and boys - the word itself has one too many s's in it for me... Anyway if your heading to the north east you can come party with me as, to be fair, I think I may have been unwittingly duped by my new employer and might be there slightly longer than originally planned - bugger! I was looking forward to sun and noodles too, will just have to make do with you for entertainment value! |
| 8th February 2008 Linsey | birds (the feathered variety) - From: Back to Civilisation Matt - that bird with the blumin great beak - one of those chased me across a bridge in Darwin last April - I swear its the same one, watch out for them, those critters get everywhere.... Ps try Singapore for civlised asian-ness the orchid gardens have lots more flourescent flowers and they can't hassle you as they chop peoples hands off for less.... justice... |
| 4th February 2008 MICHELLE | im so jealous! - From: Back to Civilisation Hi there!! sitting here at storys being bored out of my mind, i figured i wud c how matty boy was getting on!! n oh my god u seem to have been bloody everywhere!! n just for the record this blog web crack has taken me ages to figure out, n after a few mis haps i seem to have found most ov ur entrys ( u no computers arnt my thing the amount ov times i used to ring u for help!ha!) but now ive red them i must admit u hav gave me a laugh or 2 or 3!!!! ur mole shout has cracked me up!!! n it is the hairyest ive eva seen!!! shame on wife n daughters for not having them out of his face!!! n the train forwards n backwards that has totally tickled me2!!!!! anyway heading home or not uv done it mr!!! well done its an achievement in its self!! good luck in newcastle !! c u soon!! Shell x |
| 4th February 2008 Caz | Coming Home! - From: Another slight change of plan Surprised to hear your're coming back so early, but it'll be great to see you when you move back to sunny Newcastle, definitely on for a night out now that i'm a student again!! |
| 30th January 2008 Bellcore | - From: Back to Civilisation I know what the ladies like |
| 29th January 2008 Caz | - From: Back to Civilisation Nice flowers, thanks for that! |
| 26th January 2008 Megan | - From: Back to Civilisation Glad to hear you're having fun again! That night photo is amazing. |
| 22nd January 2008 Cousin K | Hot stuff - From: Back to Civilisation Quote "I've got a t-shirt on because it's hot, I've got shades on because it's sunny. Bliss" - Just like your brother - where are your shorts bruce? |
| 18th January 2008 Yan | The old tea scam - From: The Beijing Tea Scam On reflection I am somewhat surprised that you were fooled by the scam. How many times have Deano and I pulled the old tea scam. Remember last time Dean did it and it cost you £10k, your house and your dignity.....you must have a short memory...... |
| 18th January 2008 Megan | sucker! - From: The Beijing Tea Scam Oh Matty, they got you! But help a girl out...how much is 150 quid in US dollars? I can't fully and completely feel sorry for you until I know just how bad you got ripped off. |
| 18th January 2008 Megan | Monkey man - From: Moscow Ha! I thought that was you holding the monkey, too! And whats so weird about that...can't monkey's wear parkas too? |
| 18th January 2008 Megan | nightclub - From: The Russian Life Um, you're missing the details of the nightclub and the 2 girls! |
| 16th January 2008 Dean | Something about their names - From: The Beijing Tea Scam You got scammed by Jane the Plane and sickly Vickly the scammest of scammers the East has ever seen I bet both of them have dark chinese hair and eyes and speak with a chinese accent you dumb fool I told you to watch out for this two hoodlums. Anyways £100 sounds like a bargain what else could you spend £100 on these days? From more sound crap advice visit DeanoMatteomoe the Madcrappers@craptalkin'.com |
| 16th January 2008 Deano | You are the Monkey man - From: Moscow Is that not you with the fur hood with the monkeys? |
| 14th January 2008 Dad | Rail Gauge - From: Into Belarus Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the sleeping-cars are shunted into a shed, each car is separated and jacked up to have its bogies (wheelsets) changed. You remain on board while this is done - quite an experience..! ----Quote from a fellow traveller, that's what was going on apparently. |
| 13th January 2008 Linsey | ways to keep warm - From: Moscow hey matt, just logged on this for the first time sounds like your having a good time already, just got back from budapest at the weekend so am offering sympathy for the cold weather and recommendations for keeping warm - simple really - large quantities of finlandia vodka - I have discovered a new talent for drinking it straight, must be the cold weather you know how teetotal I usually am. Sounds like you may already have discovered my little tip though judging by the photo's! Keep having fun - unlucky for me have to start work in the joyous location of Sunderland on tuesday...hmmmm not convinced I've done the right thing! |
| 13th January 2008 Bellcore | Confirmation - From: Into Belarus There seems to be a bit of hysteria developing these rail gauges (especially for trainspotters like Dad). I can confirm that Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½". They must somehow widen the track as well to fit the wider gauge sleepers. |
| 12th January 2008 katie | Uncle Bully - From: Moscow You go Uncle Bully! |
| 12th January 2008 Dad | - From: Into Belarus Yes Stephen is spot on. I guess they lifted it off one set of bogies onto another or does the train carry 2 sets. If it had been the UK they would have vacated the train and the station while that was going on. Yes Craig ,we are losing sleep as well wondering just how many times the train went forwards and backwards |
| 12th January 2008 Bellcore | Rail gauges - From: Into Belarus That's what I thought was happening, but that would also involve lifting the train onto another track, would it not? |
| 11th January 2008 Craig | Clarification on Train Movements - From: Into Belarus Matt, I'm a bit confused but will you clarify how many times the train went forwards and backwards? |
| 10th January 2008 Dereck from across the way | Frog Sperm - From: Leaving England Madcap just got some top advice for you for when you travel through France ask to try some Frog Sperm - it is a delacey over there. Got that tip from Dale Whinton's website from the link you sent me? Anyway hope all is well. |
| 10th January 2008 Ste Bell | Train being jacked up - From: Into Belarus I know everyone is wondering why the train had to be jacked up so I wil clarify it for you. It is due to the different gauge of tracks in europe and Russia. we operate on a 5" system whereas the reds use a 4" gauge to save steel. New wheels have to be added so the carriages are lifted, or "jacked up" to enable a change. Keep it realand you know where to ciome with any future railtrack enquiries. |
| 9th January 2008 miggser | Be careful - From: Leaving England Hi Matt. Be careful on your trip. I know your mother will have told you that and I feel I should echo those sentiments on behalf of everyone. If being careful means not having a very good time, then so be it. Don't drink, don't take drugs, don't talk to anyone you don't know and, most importantly, don't leave whatever room you are in at whichever time you are in it. I have ran these 'guidelines' past your mam and she agrees. Be safe, not unsafe. |
| 8th January 2008 Ste | Train Journey - From: Leaving England I hear there is god money to be made on those russian trains for a handsome young man like you. Those drivers need more than coal to keep warm - yak shumash! |
| 8th January 2008 mum | - From: Leaving England make sure you have a clean hanky and clean underwear! |
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