Hi, Had really good day today. Another totally packed day though! Have been leaving the hostel by 8.30am each day! Go me! I went to see the Hutongs this morning, for those of you who dont know what they are (dad) theyre the traditional housing that was in Beijing, all narrow alley ways, kids on bikes, men playing board games. Theyre being torn down now to make way for the Olympic games and general modernisation, which is quite sad. I went along one of ...

Well, Ive arrived safe and sound in Beijing. The train ride wasnt nearly as bad as I had imagined. All the westerners were put in the same carriages and cabins. I was with 3 other English speaking (thank God!) people; Ingmarie, a girl about 24 from Sweden, Don, 26 from Amsterdam and Ugi, a 40 something from Berlin. They were all nice, and made the journey better. I have to say the time did drag a little! 30 hours on a train is a LONG time! Especially when we...