Chinese Takeaway

Beijing, China

Saturday 14th October 2006, 3.50pm

China is now officially the richest country in the world. This is due to the money that is now in there pockets and not mine. Today I went SHOPPING!! Tonight I am BROKE!! But I've had fun. I bought a few pressies for others as well as myself (yes dad I had to buy you something made in China - you must act thrilled by it). I did the top 4 levels of Silk Street (markets) and then went to the basement and bought a suitcase to take it home in. I lasted for about 60 days with one backpack (and even leaving some things behind in Rome, Athens and London - It was still full but only one!) Now I have two and if Hong Kong is cheap, who knows maybe I'll have 3. Just kidding - I have spent too much already.

I am now in my new hotel from where my tour starts. I have yet to meet my roommate or other people but will at 6pm at a tour briefing. I will visit the Great Wall tomorrow (5am wake up call - argh it starts again!) and then into the Forbidden City the next day. Monday night we go via sleeper train to Xian and the Terracotta Warriors.

I have finally seen some westerners (at the Silk Market) when I ventured into the city on Thursday. I did a bit of shopping then and tried to bargain hard. It was tough and so were the shopkeepers. They acted like I had just kicked their grandmothers when I quoted my first price. I eventually got what I thought was a deal, only to realise I didn't have enough money. They lady took me by the arm and we walked around the whole complex looking for an ATM. She wasn't letting me out of her sight. I must have overpaid - she didn't want to lose a sucker!
From Silk Street I walked to Tiannamen Square and the Forbidden City. What looked so manageable on the map was about 6 or 7 kms and I was beat by the time I arrived. I shopped a little more but department stores have Perth department store prices. I flaked out on the bed when I got back to my room. I got a phone call from Haylee the night before and it was wonderful. Dad called me that night and made me wish I was home. We talked for ages (sorry about the bill dad - I'll pay half!) but with mum and Teliah's call this morning I began counting the sleeps until I was home. 11 sleeps (if you count me sleeping on the plane - good luck with that one Kym) to go til I am in the arms of loved ones. I probably shouldn't be wishing for that seeing as it will probably be 2000 sleeps until I can afford to go away again.

Friday morning I woke at about 11am and decided spontaneously to go to the Summer Palace. It was the Emporers holiday home, a place to get out of the rigors of Peking, which cracks me up because it is about 15kms from the Forbidden City and isn't exactly another climate. It is very pretty with beautiful gardens and pagodas and really cool names for everything like, 'Strolling through a Picture Scroll', 'Place of Rolling Clouds' and 'Bridge of Jade Ripples'. Neat, huh!?
I met Frank, a German airplane engineer on Longevity Hill and after a few words about how lost we were, we wandered the grounds together. He spoke very good English and it was nice to converse with someone. He was a really nice guy. We spent the whole day together and had dinner and drinks back in Beijing city, until 1am. I had an awesome time. It was a close encounter of the great kind. We exchanged email addresses and if either are in our respective countries visiting, we said we'd catch up. It is amazing having these experiences with someone who you will never see again. (don't get excited mum - he has no plans to visit Australia anytime soon)

I feel very safe in Beijing - if you have something written in Chinese, people are more than happy to help you and direct you the right way. Even catching a taxi at 12.30am - I felt comfortable. Because I have said this I will probably be mugged tomorrow or there will be a capitalist coup attempt. The more time I spend here, the more I enjoy it. I caught the public transport to the shops today (Frank helped me do this last night) and it is nice to save a bit of money (it is about a dollar one way to the shops, instead of six for a taxi) They are fairly relaxed on the buses. As long as you pay at some time on the trip, it is fine. They rely on honesty a bit I think, but being the only westerner on board I stick out a bit so couldn't try and get a free ride. Not that I would anyway! (Seriously I wouldn't - it is 1 yuan / 20cents - I can afford that)

Well I think I have bored you enough today on my Beijing travels. I will write what I am up to in a few days. Thank you everyone for the comments - It is great to hear from you! I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Love Kym

P.S. Sonia I did NOT stick the tongue in at the Blarney Stone. Next time maybe!