Reflecting on China

So, we made it out of McDonalds eventually, and on to the train. We were sharing with 2 Chinese guys, who again snored. I’m surprised they don’t have single sex cabins actually, or at least have the option, but we survived. I seem to have managed to have lost a bra though. Oh well – thank god I ignored the packing list on that one too, else my boobs would be round my ankles by the time we got home.


Anyway, we’re still shattered, but in slightly better spirits today having spent most of the day in the hostel away from prying eyes. We’ve managed to have a shower (2 nights on the train – say no more), and we’ve also managed to do some washing (I mentioned Beijing is cold – we’ve been wearing everything we own for about 4 days – Pyjamas under trousers, 4 t-shirts etc.) I’m just waiting for my Pyjamas to dry so I can go to bed.

We’re going to brave going out in public again tomorrow with a trip to the great wall. Last time we went it was my favourite part of the whole trip – really calm and peaceful... but I’ve since discovered that was because the hostel we were in drove us to a random part of the wall that we shouldn’t have been on. There are only 3 official wall visiting sites apparently, and you have to pay to get on it – we’re going to try the one that’s a medium distance away (and we’re going by public bus), so hopefully it’ll be reasonably quiet. Last time was so amazing, I hope it lives up!

I liked China when we came with Choir. I guess it’s a very different experience being invited over and playing for big companies who bus you around everywhere. Shanghai also seemed a lot more westernised than Beijing – I do remember people looking at us, but then we were carrying about 25 saxophones around, which is much more worth staring at. I’m quite proud of us in the sense that we’ve opted out of the organised tours to the wall, and to the terracotta warriors – I’ll admit it’s more to do with being tight than searching for ‘the real China’, however maybe seeing a westerner on public transport IS unusual? It’s very easy here to jump into a limo and be bussed around for the day for about 20 quid without having to lift a finger – people try and sell you easy tours at every opportunity... but then it’s only 70p on the bus, so I guess we’ll carry on suffering for now!

It all adds to the travelling experience I suppose – highlights so far include managing to wash all our clothes in the shower, and fashion our own drying wonderland out of a combination of bag straps and peg-less washing lines (thanks Fraiser); and fixing my money belt with my own bare hands after the zip fell off (thanks Jen).