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Day 2 of Katies Chinese Experience.
Today was a rather interesting day. I woke up this morning feeling fresh and dandy and thought I would attempt to get to the Temple of Heaven again.
Crinkled and tearing map in hand, I headed this time, in the correct direction.
30 minutes later I come to a massive crossroads with no idea which way to go. I pluck up the courage to ask some Chinese people if they know the way. I show them a picture of the place I want to see and the only English they can reply is ‘subway’ and point down the road. I’m assuming by subway, what they are trying to tell me is, you have a very long walk ahead of you if you want to make it by foot.
On heading to the subway I come across a building which I feel looks of importance and I don't want to miss any opportunities of seeing something rather intereting. What I have come across is in fact, the Beijing Ancient Observatory. Wondering what this could all be about I pay my one pound entrance fee and walk on in. Here you can find massive tools that were used in the Ming Dynasty to do things such as work out what day it was, record altitude, determine time, etc.
After having looked like a toursit taking lots of photos I departed. I decided by this point that I would wait till tomorrow when I meet with the tour group and have someone else I can go to the Temple of Heaven with. I suddenly really wanted to go to the zoo and see the giant pandas. I jumped in a taxi close by and told the driver I wanted to go to the zoo. He couldn't speak a word of English and had no idea what I was saying. I showed him on a map where I wanted to go. 10 mins later and we are at this place called ‘The Blue Zoo’. Brilliant I though, we made it. I buy my ticket and enter the zoo. Aquarium bit first, cool. Walked round for ages, blimmy this is a rather big aquarium section for a zoo. Next thing I know I’m by the exit. But where are the animals. I spot some anoying Amercians and ask them. Could I have seemed a bigger idiot in all my life, I wasn’t at the zoo, I was at Beijings aquarium. b*****! Hence the name, BLUE zoo! I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at the stupidity of the situation.
I wonder down the road to find a taxi. After sitting with a taxi driver for 5 minutes trying to explain where I want to go, I gave up. What is wrong with these people!?!? Even when I show them a map they still can’t take me to where I want to go. Whilst crossing another one of Beijings crazy roads I find a female taxi driver. I jump in and say Beijing Zoo please. She pulls over, and once again, I am stuck with someone who has no idea where I want to go. I’m getting desperate now so in my atempt to make her understand what I am saying I start making animal impressions. Yes, I sat there in the taxi making monkey, lion and bird noises. She just started laughing at me like I’m a crazy English woman (I guess she wouldn't be far from wrong). In the end she phones someone up who I speak to and tell where I want to go. Finally the woman understands and we're on our way. 15 minutes later and we are finally at the correct zoo!
I grab my ticket and head straight for the Giant Panda House, which is after all, the only reason I wanted to come here. I am not disapointed. They are absolutly gorgeous animals and if it wasn't for the fact they can tear your heart out, I would want to go and give one a big cuddle. Whilst inside looking at a bady giant panda I am approached by a Chinese lady with a young Chinese girl. She points at her girl and her camera and I assume she wants me to take a photo for her. But no, she wants to take a photo of me and her girl!!! What am I, some kind of animal? But happily I consent and let her snap away. After all, I do apear to be the only English person in the whole of Beijing so now she can go home happily and tell all her friends and family that she got a photo with an 'English Girl'. In return I ask the lady if she will take a photo for me. Her photography skills were rather appauling though but the photo made me laugh for minutes after.
After leaving the impressive Giant Pandas I continue round the park. I come accross another aquarium. Oh dear, not another one!!! But what the hell, I'm hot and sticky and really could do with somewhere that has air conditioning so I venture in. This is where I have my second experience with the 'sqators'. This time was not as pleasant though, its quite hard to squat and wee whilst having a backpack on.
Once outside again I find a nice cool shaded bench and have a cool refreshing ice cream. A cherry flavoured one, for those who were interested. Whilst minding my own business I am approached by a young couple. The lady would like her photo with me. Again, I am happy to allow this and in return have a photo on my camera with her too! I am starting to feel like quite the celeb! Maybe next time I should charge people if they want their photo with me.
After leaving the zoo I try to catch the bus back but find this task impossible. Nothing is written in English and no one can speak a word of it. Failing the bus task I hail another taxi. With my hotel details written on a piece of paper in Chinese I figure this should be alot easier. But I am wrong. Again the taxi driver is struggling to understand where I want to go. Out comes my map again! The traffic at this time is a nightmare and the 35 minute journey becomes my first very scary Chinese experience. This driver is a complete nutter! He is comstantly beeping his horn, pulling out in front of people, nearly running people over..... I spent many moments with my eyes shut and saying little prayers! Reaching the hotel was a massive relief!
I was starving by now so quickly dump my bag and head straight out again. I end up in a Chinese Vegetarian Restaurant. I am seated alone surrounded by lots of Chinese buisnessmen! The waiter comes over and confirms I realise there is no meat served here. He must think English people cannot go a meal without meat. Happy that I am ready to order I have the stew with rice. I must say I was rather impressed with the meal and myself. I was given a knife and fork but managed the whole meal using chop sticks. People kept staring at me and one guy even looked and laughed. But who cares, I was happily enjoying myself feeling like a pro with the chopsticks and sod what anyone else thought. At least I was trying. I paid the waiter my money and left. Now I am sat here writing my blog to you. The pictures won't upload and earlier I had nearly finished writing my blog when the computer shut itself off so I had to re-write it all again! So having spent a lot of time in this boiling room I hope you've enjoyed all I've had to say. Till the next blog... byeee xxx
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