Hi everyone,

Life has been a little manic lately with finishing work, and mum and Claire coming to visit - so I haven't been good at updating. sorry again!!

Well, everything is finished now! I have finished working at Bacui, said goodbye to all the teachers and kids - and I am actually currently in Mongolia - but I'll tell you about that in a mo.

Since my last blog, I have been busily beavering away preparing tests for the kids and we had a small little holiday called Dragon Boat Festival for 3 days. Me and my chinese co-worker Gina both visited some things in Beijing that we hadn't yet seen - like World Park (a park with miniture replicas of famous buildings all over the world - for example "Sydney Opera House, Stonehenge, Eiffel Tower etc.. " twas very cheesy but we loved taking all the silly pictures. lol.

And then 10 days later I was joined by two visitors all the way from the UK - Mother and Clariss!! It was great to see them at the airport, as it has been a long time since we last saw each other. Claire even did a little run ... bless her!! Unfortunately along with Claire and Mum, they brought a slightly unwanted visitor - hot hot weather!! It was literally miserable before they arrived for two weeks.. it rained, and was foggy and crappy.. and then they arrive and its hot , sticky, humid sunshine!! I don't think they brought the English weather with them! Unless England has changed mahussively since I left. lol.

I enjoyed taking them to the places I have loved in China, such as the Hutong, Summer Palace, Houhai lakes etc.. and introducing them to chinese cousine! Claire has handled the lack of vegetarian options like a trouper and even tried eating slighty spicy food - something I thought she would never do! haha. We also went to the Great Wall, and used the opportunity to take lots and lots of posed pictures. haha .

Then our next stop was Xi'an to see the wonderful Terracotta Warriors. I deliberately didnt book a tour, even though it is very difficult for tourists to go without one. I decided that I knew enough chinese for us to use public transport - so we slept on a 14 hour train and then toke a public bus to the Warriors. I will add pictures of them soon. I must admit, whilst I was impressed by the ancient warriors, I was not impressed with the amount of chinese tourists. haha!

We then arrived back in Beijing, and I had to leave that evening for Mongolia! I left without Mum and Claire (as the Chinese refused to extend my visa for the 5 days I needed to travel around before Mongolia) so I am currently in Ulaan Baator which I will mention in the next blog.

Lots of Love and Kisses.

Emma Jane x.