Again, I will apologise in advance. Zac has informed me that my blog is very “dry”. Not sure what I’m supposed to do to wet it up. There’s a glass of Polish vodka sitting next to me, but that wouldn't do my computer any good. After Mum’s concerns that we would be sharing our sleeper compartment with an axe-murderer/drunk/weirdo/all-of-the-above, we had a much smoother trip on the train, mainly because we were sharing with such an on-the-ball Polish lady. So, we managed to get off the train without the same mad scramble as last time. Mum and I found our way [View Full Entry]

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I'm afraid it's only half of the zacandsof pair this time. The less hairy one, that is. So, the vibe may be a little different - maybe better? maybe worse? I'll let you decide... I've set off on a holiday to Poland and Germany. Mum and I have always wanted to visit our rellies there together, and the chance came up cos Mum and Dad have been travelling in Europe together. As per usual, Air China provided a less-than-comfortable, arduous, 13-hour journey. Highlights were: lack of leg space, the crappiest selection of movies and the air hostesses reminding us that it [View Full Entry]

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As we prepare for China's Harmonious 60th Anniversary celebrations of a United China, I would look like to look back over the past 10 months of progress in our wondrous capital. All party members celebrated Spring Festival in Sanya, Hainan. Despite the comforts of the 5-star Holiday Inn, the 5-star Marriott and the 5-star Harmonious Hilton, all members were reminded of the peasant struggles from whence they came. When sitting beachside and poolside for so many hours, ones skin does indeed become harmoniously dark, like that of a peasant. Committee member, Shaylee, graced us with her pres [View Full Entry]

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...yes, they did. Deliver. Don't you remember??? Ok. So we ended our last blog, somewhere in october, somewhere between arriving back in Beijing from Fujian (the tea place!) and waiting to find out if the super coolest pizza bar in town delivered to our house. And yes they do. And all we eat now is super cool pizza. And don't our tummies love us for it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! And Happy 'Niu' Year as well! Niu means cow. (cos the new chinese year will be year of the cow). And it's currently the funniest joke in Beijing, possibly [View Full Entry]

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Well, it's been months. We're still here. Most of our friends aren't. The pollution went. And kinda came back. X-ray machines at the subways came, and are still here. Bugger. Wheelchair access kinda came, and is kinda still here by a thread. Don't visit BJ in a wheelchair. The DVD shops went, and mostly came back. The cranes left, but are definitely back. Tainted milk came, and supposedly left, but we don't believe them. And the bullshit rose to whole new levels. And never went away. *** So, the big question - what did we think? Well, they pulled it off. [View Full Entry]

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Well, shall we get the rest of the Beaurocratic Inertia out of the way first? Sof’s company went bankrupt. Well, as bankrupt as a company can get in China. They told us this the day we arrived back from Australia (our last short stint - see the last blog if you haven’t already). The last 2 months have involved many a fight to try and get paid, arguing with stupid middle management and going on strike! The long and short of it; Sof quit. And just in time. 4 days after she quit they closed her school down because they hadn’t [View Full Entry]

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Our facebook friends will know exactly what this blog is about. So, you can skip this paragraph. To everyone else: In an attempt to make the Olympics a happy and foreigner-friendly affair, the Ch***se Gov******nt (from now on know as 'Norman' - to save any more deportation attempts) is trying to kick out most of the 250 000 happy expats living in Beijing. The scary thing is - it's kinda working. So, of course, getting a new visa at this time is difficult. More than difficult, it's as difficult as trying to meditate whilst having someone put a hot poker up [View Full Entry]

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Hey all. We couldn't resist another blog. Chinese new year in Beijing. Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks and fireworks. And, did we mention fireworks? No, I don't think we did. Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, f [View Full Entry]

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.... though, being a stick is a great advantage in China. Damn Georgie for fitting into all the clothes and shoes she tried on!!! It's been a while. A lot has happened... here be an overview!!! Firstly, a thought from Harry Potter. Everywhere in Beijing is like number 12 Grimmauld place. As soon as you walk in any door, picture frames start yelling at you. And the house elf is grumpy old sod. No seriously, no matter how hard you look for it, you just can't see it. Even if you have an address. You can only find any place when [View Full Entry]

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Once upon a time, Boris and Doris the rabbits/hares (whatever, there's only one chinese translation) were living in the Forest of Wu. Life was peaceful. The mornings slipped away with noses in books, intelligent discussions on the inverse perceptions of the past and future, and sweeping generalisations of anything outside the forest. A home-made meal greeted the pair daily; of unleavened tuna, and bread soaked in spring water. Previously the afternoons had been calm, however, recent events in regard to the lumberjacks, had involved Boris and Doris selling their underpriced souls to young c [View Full Entry]

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