Another evening in China, another morning in Norway. The start of a new week and the optimistic backerpacker mentality is sitting perfectly!

Since my last entry Ive had my first real taste of the chinese nightlife outside the comfort of the hostel walls. Me and two other guys hit one of the bigger "bar street" areas in downtown Beijing, had a lot of fun there, saw a really funny chinese Michael Jackson wannabe in one of clubs (almost as good as Korean Elvis:p) and Im enjoying the use of my Lingopal app on the ipod^^. Saturday night we went to a reggea bar, and I dont think the chinese quite get it, because all the musicians were playing were these aweful latin tunes (La Bamba among others haha), but jolly good fun none the less.

Monday morning I had recharged my batteries after a few days of rest and was completely ready to go explore some more of this oh so grande city. I got on my bike early and set my course towards the Lama Temple. I almost ended up on the motorway but luckily that was avoided! I didnt end up going to the Lama Temple because I accidentally stumbled upon the Confucius Temple! Parked my bike and spent a good couple of hours in there educating my mind. Learned alot about his teachings and importance in Chinese history. I was entertained by his six main teachings for his students: Rites & music, archery & chariot driving and writing & mathematics. Good stuff.

After a pretty good mexican lunch (had a real hanckorin' for a tasty chinese/mexican chicken burrito hehe) I peddled my way over to the famous Drum & Bell Tower. Amazing veiws over Beijing on such a sunny day as it was, and I was lucky enough to catch an actual drum performance in the drum tower after sprinting up probably the steepest stairs ive ever seen. Got a great video of that which ill post asap.

Living in the hostel for so long has been so interesting, im making friends from all around the globe and trading stories. Picking up the odd new skill also, Ive learnt to do the first stage of a rubix cube and i just completed my 3rd ever game of chess! Didnt think Id have the patience for the latter but i really enjoy it! So Im having alot of old school fun here, jenga and the table-tennis are not to be forgotten, last night I did completely hog the hostel pc when i borrowed the new Robin Hood movie from max the kiwi kid hehe.

Ive almost completed my check-list for Beijing now, something Ide never have been able to do on just a few days passing through. I loved Japan but Im 100% sure I made a good decision in coming here early. However judging from the news on the Nobel Peace Price, being norwegian in china seems like something i dont want to be advertising too much! hehe, thankgod i speak english with the accent i have! Nahh the chinese are cool, the common folk at least!:)

At the moment Im having my clothes washed, having a beer and listening to the Beach Boys. Dont want to leave but ready to move on at the same time. Ill have time for one more entry before I leave 'jing and I have sooo many cool photos Ill be going blog crazy when I get to Korea!

Untill next time, keep smiling and enjoy the company of the people around you:)

Mattis