Chrisdingle

What can one say about Beijing? It is the cultural and political capital of a country that boasts a population of 1.3 Billion and is the world’s largest communist state. It is also the capital of the bicycle which although being surpassed now by automotive transport is still a major part of Beijing life. The centre of the city to the outsider would seem to be the vast area at the geographical centre that encompasses the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The National People’s Museum of China and the Great People’s Hall of China can be found here. But the beating heart of Beijing is found in what is left of the old traditional hutong that are tucked away in amongst the new high-rise buildings and skyscrapers that dominate the city’s skyline. The city life shows ... read more

Ok well the first 24 hours were interesting in Moscow. I left Berlin early Saturday morning and arrived here bang on time at 10.33. Within a few minutes I had been introduced the metro a vast plethora of artwork covered the walls of which. They were built in the 1930s at Stalin's command and were finished a few weeks late (much to the worry of the engineers who expected execution). But frescos cover the walls and they are several art deco stations. Sadly after getting off at Annino on the ring road for my hotel I had an unfortunate incident which ended in me diving out of the door to avoid the driver who was wiedling a pistol (a Stechkin APS unless I am much mistaken) and asking for money. Still I stayed in the hotel ... read more