During this time I realise I need to
visit the toilet with an imminent bowel movement and walk into a
public loo of which there are many in Beijing. However I find that
there is no toilet paper! I go into two or three public conveniences
and find the same thing: Chinese public toilets do not have paper!
With steadily mounting discomfort I finally use a couple of pages
from my notebook in desperation. Suitably relieved I make my way to
Shichahai where I buy a roll of loo paper which henceforth I carry
around with me everywhere. From here I make my way on to Line 8 of
the subway to the centre.
This is the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest.
My Yorkshire friend of last night in
the pub called this “boring.” I have to say I don't know what
he's talking about as to me this is impressive modern architecture. I
do have a kind of desire to see modern things this time around!
Here's the Aquatic Centre or "Water Cube" which I gather looks more impressive at night. I make a mental note to come back in the evening. The weather is fantastic as you can see!
Also this IBM building looks quite interesting (for me anyway)
This building is bigger than it looks and is a shopping centre.
The Olympic park is vast, and there is
an observation tower at one end of it that you can see here: it looks like something out of a science-fiction novel. You can
go up it but it costs RMB 100 (£10) to do so and I don't feel it's
worth it. The view is probably tremendous but these things tend not
to photograph too well anyway.
By the time I get to the other end of
the park, I've walked two subway stops, that's how big it is! So much
for an easy morning.
At lunchtime I make a line change and
fetch up at this bar/restaurant where I treat myself to (of all
things) Bangers and Mash with real ale! It's actually delicious!
Following this I go and relax in a couple of pubs. I do find a small
contemporary art gallery with an exhibition in it and chat with the
artist for a few minutes, but not long as she can't speak much
English.
I have a doze in the afternoon, have
some soup in the hostel bar then go out in the evening to see
Dongzhimen Night Market which is promoted in LP as something special,
but I find it disappointing, the one on North Street near the
University is much better (I'll show you another time.)
Two girls call out to me on the street
asking where I'm from and if I want to go to a bar with them. I know
there is a well practised scam that works like this so I decline and
wander off. Finally I have a couple of cocktails in the hostel bar
to help me sleep.
This is one of the bar signs in the hutong.
This area is full of foreigners and my
experience of social contact in China so far leads me to pigeonhole
people somewhat (fairly or otherwise) like this:
CHINESE: Marvellous. You couldn't wish
to meet more open, warm and generous people. Embrace their
hospitality wherever you can!
EXPATS: Depending on the person and the
circumstances if you meet the right people at the right time you can
have a lot of fun. I've done this a few times. Sometimes however its
just like the UK: they want you to leave them alone so approaching
them is sometimes difficult.
BACKPACKERS: Self-obsessed with
sociopathic tendencies. Avoid.
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