Three Days
Trip Start
Jul 25, 2006
1
18
20
Trip End
Dec 13, 2006
Beijing,
Mongolia
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Nee hao
I was in Beijing for three days this last time.
We made it out to the contempory art district in the north est of the city. This is well worth visiting. There are many galleries, jewellery and ceramic and other shops, as well as some funky cafes (which incidentally mostly weren't open on a Monday, so if you are going, try a weekend or later in the week at least). The ceramic is fantastic - and amazing cheap for such good quality. The art work and related products really stood out among most stuff for sale in Beijing which is not exactly screaming hand made.
Actually a strange incident happened in the depths of one of the chinese contempory art warehouses especially considering I was there with Jon, another New Zealander. We were looking at some art and suddenly Pokirikiriana, practically the unofficial new zealand anthem starts playing on the stereo. Bizarre. But nice too.
Sadly, on leaving Beijing for New Zealand by plane, my trip ends. The end is, as one would imagine, bitter sweet. My mongolian adventure has been everything I'd hoped for and much much more. Of course, it will be nice to return home for Christmas to catch up with everyone, and enjoy some warm weather and the beach! On the other hand, I'm sad to leave asia, it's just such an interesting and exciting place - amazing history, and an amazing present too, with all the changes going on. And of course I have met so many fantastic people along the way these past four months, who, in the end, are really what make an experience memorable. To all of you I've met on my travels, thank you - and keep in touch.
I'll be back!
