So, today I woe up early (again) to transfer my luggage to the hotel from where the organised trip starts. When I arrive at the subway station, the luggage has to be checked. In most stations there is an x-ray machine available, in this one there isn't. I will never forget the disappointment on the faces of the two security officers when they see my back-pack. After a quick inspection (my laundry made up the top part of my luggage) they thought it was ok and let ...

Woke up early this morning, which appeared to be extra early due to my phone settings (which indicated that it was one hourlater than in reality). Anyway, due to this early hourthe temperature was still agreable, so I quickly took the subway and a short taxi ride to the "Summer Palace". This was the place where the emperor used to pass the summer, since it was cooler than his palace in the city due to the presence of a lake and mountain. At the palac...

So I arrived in China! Impressive trip, and the second part of the plane-ride provided me with a good opportunity to get used to the sounds of the Chinese language. Even after arrival it was still quasi-impossible to understand a little, so I was kinda worried that things might not go so easy as initially planned. The airport was huge and it was cleat that lots of work has been done in preparation for the Olympics, although there still remains a lot to be done....

After arrival in my hostel I met some of my room mates: two blonde Swedish girls were staying at the same hostel and were kind enough to explain me how to get to the metro and told me the nice places to shop. I could see the temptation to buy lots of cheap stuff is very real, as they had a hard time stuffing their suitcases with, amongst others, eight pairs of shoes. After lunch I set out on my exploration: today I visited the Drum-tower and some smal rip-off t...