Well thats me arrived safley in Beijing, and although I may not of been so nervous abut comming here it has deffinatley been more challenging than South America so far. Most Chinese men seem to proud to be letchy towards me and most beggars (whom there are many of) are too proud to try and steal. So from a saftey aspect its much improved, however the language barrier is huge, and as Im staying on my own western faces are few and far between. Although a couple of times people have really gone out of there way to help me, human kindness never ceeses to amaze! Food and public transport are more than difficult to negotiate as is just wandering around this huge sprawling smoggey metropolis, which has very little redeaming factors in the city centre itself. I would recommend flying British Airways though, you get free drink, socks, toothbrush and blanket. John was good enough to meet me at the airport as planned, and we were off. Beijing from the outset was disgustingly hot and under constant contruction. We got to the flat where I met Johns flatmates (who's pictures should magically appear sometime soon) and we proceeded to spend the next few days eating out, going out and seeing some sights. We tended to eat out in non chinese reseraunts (with one edible exception) As Ive been discovering on my own real Chinese food from from markets, street vendors and non western resteraunts is extremley suspicious and one must be wary of it, it may still be alive. Ive given up with anything other than the supermarket. The day I arrived we went to the summer palace, which was how I imagined China to be, temples, green grass, huge gray lakes, weeping willows and Blossom trees in flower. Although much of it was under construction for the 2008 Olympics, it was still a mystical place. That night we went out to a really nice bar, which was called bed and was similar to Chai Ovna but full of beds and things were easier especially as John spoke good Chinese. However they were to depart on their own trip and I was to finally feel the force of culture shock, and its not been a pretty few days people let me tell you! I had this sudden horrible moment when I realised that there was absolutley no one I knew in this huge city, and could go the next week without speaking to a soul... People dont really pay attention to Westerners as they dont seem that mad keen on tourism or tourists for that matter. And I was in this massive strange flat on my own (not that I wasnt gratefull for being given the keys to house sit) jet agged without a clock (Im still a bit nocturnal as a result of this) and I had visions of me going a little bit crazyee, know what I mean? Managed to go out shopping yesterday to find myself a clock and saw some strange sights in the markets, everything from terrapins to bullfrogs to congor eels can be bought for yer tea, again some strange pictures will hopefully follow. And as for today I was on a mission to conquer the Beijing subway system, and just about managed to get to Tianamen Square and back without being suffocated in the carriages. I also had to discover pretty quickly that the Chinese have no concept of queing, just running q jumping and pushing. Tianamen Square was an amazing sight, especially considering its tragic history juxtaposed with all these huge portraits of the current head honchos in the communist party and many a red flag flying. You would be forgiven for thinking that communism had all but disapeared from Beijing untill you get to Tianamen. I then got in touch with Vivians friend Marie, and we are going to the Great Wall tomorrow together and had dinner tonight so I have a friend you will all be pleased to know. Any way off to watch one of the many films lying about the flat, probebly untill its time for you guys to go to your bed, speak soon all love m ps thanks to sheri, dee, ruby, greer connor and heath for helping me get my ipod together, its been one of the few things keeping me sane the last few days....