Well, Ive survived my first week - but only just - some of it has been pretty harrowing, but others bits of it have been great fun. Im settling in a bit more now and think I am getting gradually acclimatised as I was really struggling with the weather to start with. Ive been bitten to death, probably been infected with headlice, taken my life in my hands twice a day cycling to work, nearly had my watch stolen by some of the little darlings in my class and been ...

Well, this has been a bit of a culture shock after the modern metropolis of Shanghai! The embassy in London said I could get a visa on arrival, but I noticed everyone else on the plane seemed to have one, so was slightly worried, but I got one within what seemed to be 5 minutes - was all very relaxed in the customs/visa section compared to the Chinese military :). I arrived late at night so was pleased to find a driver there to pick me up in a tuk tuk - and I was...

Not sure where to start - been hectic - trains, planes and automobiles around China - pretty exhausting but great fun!! Left Beijing to fly to Xian - caused havoc at the airport - had millions of Chinese officials shouting at me and no idea what they were saying - except it was pretty obvious none of them were happy thats for sure! I put my backpack through security and I also beeped while passing through security myself. The officers scanning me started shout...

Moved to my new hotel and met my new group - we are around 13 - a few singles and couples of various ages - various nationalities too so thats nice. My new hotel is in the more up market side of town so decided that as my wardrobe had been packed mainly with the Trans-siberian in mind, I may buy some new clothes - wondered into a shop and the young young shop assistant promptly SHOUTED over ' lady, lady, zis teenie weenie ' YOU ARE BIG - you go upstairs' - all t...

Decided it was time for some modern architecture so made my way to the Olympic Village to see the Birds Nest Stadium as Ive always liked the look of it. Paid extra for what they described as an air tunnel - had no idea what it was, but decided to give it a go。 It was actually walkway on the roof!!? - it was slightly scary as the ground was mesh and you could see right down, but the views were great and it was quite exciting! Although the stadium itself was p...