When I got in last night, there was someone sleeping in my bed. You can imagine the confusion as I stumble in drunk, to find a body in my bed. Luckily there was another bed free, so I just crawl in to that. Obviously some mix up with the bunks.
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So I got woken up early by people leaving the room. So I was kinda up at 10, which was a pain in the ass, but what can you do. I wasn't a big fan of my new city yesterday. Different vibe about the place, people stare, they are very unfriendly. I mean they will answer you, just won't smile or make you feel welcome. One of the toughest things however, is that the air isn't clean. Every breath is hot, smelly, smokey, foul air! So after you walk round for a while you are just exhausted!
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Decided to check out the night food market tonight. Got on another packed subway, one woman literally starred at me constantly for 2 stops! It's ridiculous! After a short walk through the subway we get to the main street, we walk down as the market is off on the left! We know we get to it because everyone has stopped and are taking photos. The main street is really modern. Paved and wide with lots on recognisable shops, I think I saw at least 3 Rolex stores. I don't feel a poor vibe here at all.
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So we turn down the street. It is packed and there are stalls lining both sides of the street! They have all the things you have heard of, scorpions, locust, centipede, baby skinned duck, stinky tofu, starfish, various battered stuff and of course the scorpions are alive on the stick then they get BBQed. Now, before I had left for the market I was excited, I was fully up for maybe trying something, however when I arrived, the smell was over powering, I felt sick to my stomach. It smelt like death, the most pungent fumes I have ever experienced!! We walked the full length of the street, I'll be honest, I had to hold my breath at regular intervals throughout the journey. There were kebabs of I don't know what, though everyone tells you they are chicken because they know westerners won't eat what they have! Sneaky! It was a unique experience. I have come to two conclusions, Chinese will eat anything and they will say anything to get your money.
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I was not feeling good after this, though we decided to try a Chinese restaurant. As we were walking along people were literally trying to man handle us in to their shop. Standing outside shouting at you. We stopped outside one place and 4 staff came running out, 'please, please, please' they would say as we were ushered in. When you get shown to your table the waitress stands there waiting for your order. So there feels like there is a lot of pressure to select something quickly. I took my time. The girl stood there for 5 mins, I don't know why she wouldn't just come back. I end up picking some beef thing, I think. When it arrives it is some beef, celery, and at least 8 chillies, just cut, seeds and all. It was pretty hot, probably not the best thing for my delicate stomach. After I eat as much as I can stomach I head back to the hostel.
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One of the unique features of my deluxe room is that it comes with a swimming pool. The sink leaks all over the floor, regularly. So you get up in the morning and have to wade through the pool to get to the toilet. After my swim, I head back downstairs and get chatting to Darko, a Serbian born Swiss, as he went to the wall today, maybe he has some intel. We chat in the hallway, then he invites me to his table with his cousin, Mario and girlfriend Anna. We get chatting, and of course another few beers which ends in another late night. Turns out they have the same thing planned for tomorrow that I do, so we arrange we'll do it together. Shower then bed.