Limited edition one of a kind handbag

Day eintz (one i think, my German is zehr zehr rusty, gotta love Gerglish though)

forbidden city

Our first day in Beijing, and the capital isn't disappointing yet, despite Dragons opinion of it. Tiananmen Sq was our first stop, nautrally, which was very good to see it and the monuments around it, i was disappointed by the forbidden city. Firstly, the main hall inside, the Hall of Supreme harmony, which is the main focal point in the centre, was under renovation like so much in this country (bloody olympics) so the picturesque views were truly spoiled. Secondly i didn't realised it is presented very much like a museum and as such is devoid of atmosphere. However the worst fact of all is that in the east wing they have, wait for it..., a STARBUCKS! I dont think any country could be as commercially minded as China is now, everything revolves around money!

Forbidden city ruined

And now some learning: The Forbidden city occupies over 1 MILLION sq m appaerently.

        My favourite activity of the tour in China so far was on its way afterwards. We went to the hutong afterwards (like backstreets basically), had a rickshaw tour and more importantly went to a centre for the mentally disabled. In the centre we were treated to a meal, a theatrical perfoprmance and then did some caligrahpy paintings with the students. It was such a humbling and enjoyable experience, and they seemed genuinely pleased to perform for us. Having done this, this is the sort of thing i'd love to do as a career, and may well do, when i return home.

      Commercialism continued after this, we went to an old ladies house to see ';a traditional hutong house'. This was the worst attraction i've ever heard of, but fair play to the lady, she gets paid to invite people into her house, sit them there for about 5 mins and tell them such amazing facts as (actual quotes here)'this is my living room, im retired, i have 3 kids but they all moved out, i have health insurance so i only pay 20% of my medical bills!' Now thats what i came to china for.

great wall

Christ this is long, and this is only day 1 of beijing, so im gonna stop copying out my diary and summarise to save you from death via boredom!

     We also went to the Silk road market, which is a huge 7 floor indoor market selling everything you could possibly imagine. The stall vendors were the most agressive people in the world, at one point i literally had one grabbing on each of my arms and one on my back, because i tried to leave their kiosk. The lengths i went through to get your bag Corrin! Personal space doesn't exist here, and i was even threatened with death as i walked past one little woman at a handbag stall ('i kill u boii'). To sum it up, don't go handbag shopping without some sort of protection!

great wall1

Shaolin monks in the evening, very cool performance, though alot more theatrical then i had expected.

Jingshan again

Jingshan again2

Jingshan park

man painting in street with water

me at the Summer palace

monks

oh thats good

peoples monument

rickshaw

Rickshaw 2

rush hour

Summer palace

Summer palace2

the great walls3

tiananmen sq