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I arrived first thing (7.30am) by train in Beijing, after a very refreshing night's sleep in the sleeper wagon. It was nice to use another mode of transport after all the buses and flights, and the train was very good!
Once in the station, I was met by the entire population of China, and pushed my way through to the big 'I' for 'Information' in order to find out where a particular street was. I asked the guy in Chinese, and he simply said: 'Don't know, ask someone else' and looked away. Nice. Love you too.
So I went to the subway to buy a ticket, and while standing in line, noticed the propaganda through the loudspeakers from the nearby police container, saying something along the lines of '... all locals should help tourists where possible .... etc and be friendly and courteous people' .... tja right.
Beijing is much cleaner than Shanghai (although the locals are no stranger to the deep throat spitting), and the streets, subway and buses are very tourist friendly (no doubt due to the Olympics). On the first day I went to the Summer Palace, which is huge and beautiful. It is hilly,
with temples scattered all around a very large lake. I took a boat ride on the lake which was lovely. My favourite part of this attraction was the 700m long roofed pathway along the lake. It is the longest gallery in the world, and the painting on each section of the roof is to the most precise detail (painted with godesses, trees, birds, mountain scenery). Very pretty. In the evening I met one of my best friends from Australia - Jon - and we went for (a few too many) Margaritas and I laughed until I cried. Good times. Seeing him was one of the highlights of the trip.
The next day, I met a guy called Pete, who was doing his PhD in Tibeten(!) History(!!). Okayyyy ... Completely hungover, we went to the Temple of Heaven which I enjoyed very much! Again it was marvelously painted in red or green, and the roofs of golden colour, lined the Swastika (symbolising 'Peace' that Hitler stole from the Buddhists). The park that it was in was also beautiful, partly filled with Roses, and we saw locals gathered to play music together, or sing Chinese opera, many were in little groups
Longest Gallery in the world at 700m
Look at the artwork - to the most precise details playing chinese chess, and we even had a little dance with a group of locals who had gathered to spontaniously dance in the park. Beautiful.
On day three, I went to the 798 Art Zone, which frankly is nothing to write home about. Each evening, Jon hospitably took me out with his friends to entertain me, on this particular night to a rooftop bar with an awesome view. On day four, I was awoken by Sascha standing next to my bed. Scared the living daylights out of me, and was a lovely surprise. How did he find the hostel!! - I couldn't even find it on the first day! I got changed faster than ever before and we went in the drizzling rain to the Forbidden City, which is so called because for 500 years no ordinary person was allowed in.
The Forbidden City is huge and impressive. Many temples and rooms for each and every simplest occassion. A room for the emperor to give speeches to the public - but before that, a smaller room JUST for him to rehearse his speech - before that another room for his arrival and for him to get changed in.
It is said that for 2 dynasties, the emperors never left the Palace grounds. That would probably explain all their concubines. *ahem*
We then went to a sort of China Town, where Sascha insisted on trying all sorts of bugs. We met 2 Dutch, who had the same desire, and they shared this experience. They picked scorpions, which were still alive on a long satay stick, and then simply thrown (still moving) into a deep fryer. They then proceeded to try other bugs, and even dog. I was the camera woman.
The next day, we had decided to meet at Tian'anmen Square - Sascha was late (because of rickshaw-trying-to-rip-him-off-problems of his own), so I had to wait 15 minutes for him. I was sitting by a lamp post, when I was greeted by the paparazzi - 2 men were 'secretly' trying to photograph me. I covered my face with my hand and looked away, so they moved in front of me and started snapping away. After a while some girls decided to ask me for a photo with them, which made the passersby stop and ALSO take out THEIR cameras to photograph Ms Alien. This went on for
- no joke - 10 minutes of me constantly having to take photos with other people, until Sascha - thank goodness - arrived. I felt like such a freakshow.
Tian'anmen Square is the biggest city center square in the world. Quite impressive due to its size. We then made our way further out of the center to see some traditionl Hutongs (100 year old flat houses) and wandered into a small part of town along the river with lots of hutongs and shops. Tried some weird looking food and enjoyed seeing the boats not give way too each other (because the have to always push into line), and not be able to get under a bridge since no one would budge. har har - amusing. For dinner, Jon and Clara took Sascha to have Beijing Duck, which was delicious. Afterwards we embarressingly went to a KTV (my request) and sang our hearts out - it was FUNNNNN-NY! I have video clip evidence which I keep looking at when I need a laugh.
Bracing ourselves and our wallets, we went to Silk Street, which is a market where you can get anything you like, or even don't like -
by getting harrassed from all sides by Chinese women, all using the same 'pick up' line - 'you like? I give you cheaper. Best price for you'. Mmm Hmm. Sure. We purchased Sascha's new wardrobe. The bargaining was getting on our nerves, so we let ourselves get ripped off, and I went upstairs to have 2 Qi Paos made, which I am so so so excited about. Having emptied our wallets, and lost our pride, we treated ourselves to the best massage I have ever had in my life. A chinese massage where you keep the clothes on, and they find certain points in your body, and press the hell out of them. The pain is so bad that it's good.
On the last day, we woke up bright and early to go on a tour to the Great Wall of China. We both don't like to do the touristic thing, so we chose to see the Wall from 2 towns - the hike is a 10km walk on the wall: the wall is many parts is broken and constantly uphill. A real workout in the heat. I would suggest to others to simply do the touristic thing by
getting to the Wall, touch it, and go back.
Thank you again Jon - Sorry I didn't get to say goodbye ... it was a fabulous trip.
Now off to my last country - INDIA!
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Nigel and Margie in Australia
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China, girl
Glad to hear you've been enjoying this part of China. And quite the centre of attraction! Good on you, Sylv., and I hope India treats you well too. Guess the trip is coming to an end soon; will you be going back to your old job or trying something different? Or coming home for a visit so we can see all your photos? Cheers, Nigel and Margie