Scorpions, Kites and a Birds Nest!

It's not often we find a city where 1 week simply isn't long enough. Despite the constant mist (mixed with smog) that has descended since our arrival Beijing has everything to offer. We soon mastered the cities subway system and combined with 5-10 miles walking each day we have experienced it's immense charm. You can wander for hours in narrow streets of the Houhai lake area, admire the varied pastimes on show in the Temple of Heaven park or marvel at the volumes of people in Tian'anmem Square. Also not to be missed are the bright lights and street markets of the Wangfujing area with it's particular delicacy of 5 live raw baby scorpions on a skewer!

You can only wonder what the lightening bolt must have felt when he crossed the line that historic night, in a stadium that is a masterpiece of forged metal.

So 4 days into our trip what 10 things have we learned so far?

1) It is easier to cross the road when the pedestrian crossing lights are red than green.

2) If someone comes up and talks to you they aren't being friendly or helpful they would like to sell you something or take you on their tour.

3) With number 2 in mind always appear like you know where you are going even though you have no idea where you are.

4) Food does not taste anything like as edible as it looks. Don't believe what you see at home- there is no fried rice, sweet & sour pork or prawn cracker to be seen.

5) You can normally quite easily get 50 % off the starting price when haggling.

6) The locals appear content to spend their days sleeping, smoking, playing cards, staring at foreigners or spitting. It also perfectly acceptable for middle aged men to spend the whole day flying a kite that appears to be about a mile above the city.

7) Although evident on every street the public toilets are only to be used in a case of emergency. Not to mention the smell they are mainly squatters and if the cubicles do have doors the locals often choose not to close them whilst doing their business.

8) Surprisingly there is a distinct lack of winos- this is amazing given the fact you can buy 5 litres of 60% proof alcohol (although we don't know what it is) for less than £5.

9) When considering booking train tickets always consult your hotel tour desk first before taking a 2 hr round trip to the station only to find no English translation. The hotel can arrange tickets in 5 mins and deliver them to your room at no extra cost (doh!)

10) Whatever basket of groceries you buy in a local supermarket it will always cost just £3.

We can see this country will challenge us in terms of translation and culture but this can only make the next 3 weeks more interesting, unique and unforgettable. The great wall and the Forbidden City will fill the next 2 days before we take the train to Xi'an where the formidable force of the Terra-cotta Army awaits!

So join us next time to find out if; the mist has cleared on the great wall, we don't regret buying 2nd class tickets for the 5 hr train journey, Paul's lack of appetite will still be doing wonders for his waistline and whether our stock of immodium holds firm (excuse the pun!).

Please note we have only been able to add iPhone pics so far as there are no Internet cafes so you have plenty of pictures to look forward to when we can upload them.....