Back from an exhilerating run this morning; where I ran past some ofthe most 'authentic' parts of Beijing I have ever seen. Rubbishlying around, chaos on the roads with bikes and cars being repairedall over the place and lots of people sitting around. Next time I'lltake some pictures, because it was great.
I subsequently watched 'Finding Neverland' -the (relatively true)story about JM Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan. I highly reccommend it.Last night was Ralph's 21st party; so I had my first visit to apizza buffet in China! Its AYCE (All You Can Eat) and a crossbetween western food (pizza, chips, chicken nuggets, ice cream etc)and chinese food too with beer and everything included. It was verypopular and I ate way too much (predictably), but enjoyed a lot ofthe food.
Earlier I had a traditional Peking Duck lunch and spent a few hoursat Yuanmingyuan -an old 'palace' that now lies in ruins, since itwas destroyed the Brits and French in 1860 (1st Opium War....when wegot Hong Kong from China). There were so many mentions of this, itgot extreme (the israelis and aussie i was with thought ithumourous...although i'm not sure where either of them would bewithout the brits! he he). As it was also designed in a europeanstlye the ruins looked a bit like Rome -very different to everythingelse in China that is all so Chinese! And the few colonial stylebuildings are either in perfect condition (renovated or exclusive)or been replaced by high-rises.
I've now suped-up my bike too :) Well, I replaced the old, tiny,seat post (so now I am more than a few inches off the ground) andgot the front brake installed. The result: a faster, more efficient,safer cyclist :). Cycling is such a joy here, and so much safer thenthe buses that deliberately slamn you around their 20 year oldinteriors that are generally so sparsely kitted out, its just apiece of wood or metal between your feet and the road.
I heard on the news today that Beijing has approved plans to installautomatic ticketing machines on the subway here! I never thoughtthat day would come. That move will create several thousandunemployed ticket sellers and ticket collectors, so its a brave,sensible move. Not sure when it will be finished by, but I guessbefore 2008 once the other 5 subway lines are completed.
Its school-trip time on tuesday! wow, its been SUCH a long timesince i went on one of them; at least 6 years. such fond memories.although it wasnt often that we went on a school trip to somethingcomparable to the Great Wall :) should be fun. we can continue ourbitching about the german girl who disrupts the class so by treatingthe teacher as a personal tutor!
any more news? i dont think so. did i mention that Mark who waspresident after Sarah (who was president after me) in AIESECManchester will be the new President of AIESEC UK? Its great thatwe've made such steady progress in the last 5 years since me and afew others started sorting AIESEC Manchester out. I'm so proud ofhim :)
today when i went running i wore shorts for the first time sinceoctober! not as hot as UK, but it might be almost 20 sometimeshere :) hopefully Spring is FINALLY here!!
Adam
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