Well, Ive arrived safe and sound in Beijing. The train ride wasnt nearly as bad as I had imagined. All the westerners were put in the same carriages and cabins. I was with 3 other English speaking (thank God!) people; Ingmarie, a girl about 24 from Sweden, Don, 26 from Amsterdam and Ugi, a 40 something from Berlin. They were all nice, and made the journey better. I have to say the time did drag a little! 30 hours on a train is a LONG time! Especially when we had to wait at the border for 6 hours, going through all the bloody forms and then the wheels of the train being changed. This morning was really cool though. China i so beautifully green! Saw the Great Wall in amongst the very green hills, so lovely! check the pics! We arrived in Beijing at around 3pm. Quickly found my hostel. Am sharing with 2 Russian girls who speak minimal English and an illusive but very messy third person. Bit lonely here. But was very proud of myself, mastering the subway and finding the zoo with the pandas. Am going to a show tomorrow night, of Kung Fu, should be interesting! and on Monday, before I meet ppl on my tour Im going to the Summer Palace with Rachel and Victoria, which will be really nice:) Gotta go, G xxx