hey

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well day 6 or something and we have had to do 2 days in the forbidden city coz it is soooooo big; due to it being low season as well its only open to 3.30; WOW!!!! is pretty much all i can say; you see it in the pics and it looks amazing but when you see if for real your taken away by its being; its so big, detailed, pretty, grand and symetrical (dad you'd love it) its really good coz its not that busy either; its mainly local people who are on their holidays for the new year on the 26th; got some amazing pics but im having probs uploading them so il try my best for you all; yesterday wasnt too bad coz the waether was normal; sitting at 0 but today the wind was howling and the temp at base was -7; tomorrow is due for -14 and snow; only good thing is it blows the smog away and the sun can at least hit the city; we are suppose to be doing the temple of heaven tomoz but well see coz it was so uncomfortable today and i want to be able to apprechiate it fully. watched the flag lowering at the T.Square as well; they stop all the traffic and the guards parade across the hghway and do there celebrations; everynight it brings so many people in; they dont like you taking pic of them so its a case of being a little sly about it

met another traveller called steven; he is from leicestershire; arrived day after us and is on his own; he done the 2 days with us and he is like one of us; hes totally ace and hope to keep in touch with him; we all have been for a meal (along with the katie-ann and chris) at the local muslim resturant, well its not by our standard but it was amazing; the locals continusioly spit as well; doesnt matter when or where they are; despite this and the occasional person weeing on the street its resonably clean; the rubbish bin is a bike with a small (2x4 feet, and there bunged) cart, imagine that; it looks well hard work; the toilet roll is rubbish; its well under half the size of ours and like greasproof paper but suppose we have to be greatfull we have it!!!!

moved into the new hostel and it was 640Y for 10 days which works out as 64 (pound; 6.40per night, sorry there is no pound sign on these keyboards haha) its really nice and the staff are sooooo much more helpfull. the hole city so far has been cheap; beer 25p; spring rolls 50p; meals 2pound, entry for forbid city 4pound; for a city i like it; only things is the smog really and it leaves you with a headache by the end of a day in it but sure wel get used to it i suppose;

well gonna sign off; hope everyone is well!!!

emily
xxx

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Photos

forbidden city
me marie lara and steven

forbidden city4
check out the size of the door stop haha

saddle
look at the old saddles mummy!!!

Comments

[mum]

hi em sounds like you're having fun. so good for you to see all those wonderful things i am so jealous. conni in bad books, she has eaten the plugs off the TV and the video today + eaten the English dictionary - maybe she wants to learn something else. weather dry today - that's a first for sometime, horses not been out since saturday. moe Snowdrops in the garden and conni digging her way to you - she should make Australia about the same time as you. house mice very busy and noisy lately, i keep banging on the ceiling as they are keeping me awake! i hope you get these messages, maybe let me know if you are love you loads Mum ps ironing is piling up, maybe send it along with Conni xxxxx

[anonymous]

Great to have some photographs. Hope you manage to keep warm. Have a Happy New Chinese Year! Lots of love, grandma, grandad and auntie gill.