Ni Hao, Well here I am again, same internet cafe, same computer and same can of empty cold tea drink sitting next to me. Hope everyone is getting on ok at work, school, etc good luck to heather in her exams! I should really stop now... Yesterday I made it to the Great Wall of China, and it was a pretty magical sight to behold. Im sure I saw it from the plane on my way in though and have to say its even more impressive from the air just to see a thwack of of the full 50K. I went straight in for the touristy section, Ba Da Ling, with lots of Chinese tourists having a look as it Labour week here (all civil service on holiday) no tourbus for me unfortunatley. (I still havent located a tourist office in Waudaukou where Im staying) and was surrounded by Chinese families on holiday, Q much posing with Chinese kids (who are very shy by nature, lets hope it stays that way when I get to Yantai,) And amazing views. The wall itself is quite impressive, seems to be built over so many hills, as if it should really be structuraly impossible. Did you know there was a starbucks at the Great Wall of China? I was so desperate, but I managed to resist the urge to run and order a double caramel macciatto by running in the oppossite direction up the wall. (not really) It was cool and even managed to sleep on the super cheap hardseat bus home. That evening Marie took me out for Thai food, which I really enjoyed, especially the pineapple rice. It was out of the tourist district so was quite cheap aswell. And straight to the flat to bed, which I have now decided is haunted btw, or there is someone walking about upstairs with stilletos on till 4 AM every night. Today has been quite an eye opener, we visited two Buddist temples, Tangze was by far the most impressive. However the Chinese idea of Buddism is far less airy fairy than out local 'friends of western budddism' a la byres rd suchiehall st let me tell you. Everything apreared normal, untill we got to the statue of Budda which is supposed to give you a boy child if you prey hard enough (who incidently is also a man) then in the last worship room was covered in scenes from hell e.g. fire, blood, deamons etc (which aaall looked vaugley familiar) Other than this this temple was in a beautifull lush green setting, and had a certain aptmosphere to it, with incense burning and orange robed monks wandering around (and at around 2 hours from Beijing city centre I could breathe.) This evening was a meal in one of the university campuses, typical chinese with pictures so I could order. Had deep fried tofu/beancurd, which is faveorite chinese at home, but is black and tastes almost like liquorice out here. Anyway, night night every body, early start, Forbbiden city awaits...