I woke up at around 9 and had the most refreshing shower. the hotel is basic but our room is nice. you're not allowed to put topilet paper down the toilet here, which is annoying, especially first thing in themorning when you forget!

The plan for today was to gop and see the forbidden city. We looked out of the window of the hostel and it looked over cast so we packed our long sleeves and water proof clothing. we soon realised that the clouds over head was infact a large covering of smog. i'd heard about the smog but could never have imagines just how bad it is here. you can see the tops of most of the buildings because the smog just engulfs them.

Tian'an me square is the most incredible place. Its so crammed full of people. at first glance you would think that there is some sort of festival going on, but you soon realise that there isnt, its just a normal day in china! 14 million people live in Beiojing and it looked like they were all out that day. We walked aroun there for a bit, a street seller sold me a watch with chairman Mao on it, which i love. ( it stopped working about 2 hours later!)

As a group of 16 westerners, we stick out like a sore thumb, even in a city with a high tourism level. I find being the only bklonde in the group doesnt help either. people are constantly trying to have thier photos taken wioth me! and the starring is unbel;ieveable. people will stop what they are doing to trun and watch you walk up the road!

the forbidden city was pretty awesome. it was built in 1420 and its still in really good condition. amazing really when you think of the pollution! We walked around there for 4 or 5 hours and still didnt get to see all of it. its very easy to get lost in there. the high light for me was the gardens, they're beautiful. i've got heaps of photos already!

From the forbidden city we headed for the silk market that we had heard so much about. this meant using the underground system. Now having never used the tube in London,this was pretty daunting for me. Thankfully the others had been in town for a few days,so they knew what they were doing! it was a mad old place the silk market. 6 floors of rip off designer gear and silk and anything else you could possibly want. i could have spent hours in there. the trick is to haggle. i've becaome pretty good at that now! i restrained myself though. i only came away with one bracelet, its carved jade in the shape of turtles. i bought it in memory of my little friend sat on the bar in the restaraunt! poor little fella!

In the evening Jackie took us to another local restraunt. it was dirt and smelled awful, but the food was alright. the rest of the night was spent in the hostel bar again.