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So, I'm now at the Lucky Family Hostel in Beijing. The taxi ride from the airport was actually incredibly normal, especially when you consider Chinese driving (though I did get ripped off), but when he pulled off into a very small, very unpleasant back lane I started to panic. Surely my hostel couldn't be down here?!? Then you can imagine my dismay when after 10 minutes of driving down the lane he stopped outside a small entrance door. But what else was there for me to do but get out and have a look? It indeed was my hostel, but once inside it was actually reasonably pleasant compared to the dirty, squalid street. The receptionist was friendly, immediately welcoming me and showed me around the hostel. The common rooms are cosy with free Wi-Fi and comfy sofas, and my bedroom is basic but adequate; a bed, a table and a television which can only pick up crazy Chinese programmes which I can't understand but have fun laughing at. The hotel is a little mad, with crazy stickers over most of the walls and a bizarre colour scheme, but it is cute. Unfortunately my room is a single with no bathroom or toilet, so I have to use the communal facilities. Usually I wouldn't mind this, but it does make you appreciate home comforts, like a toilet door. I have tackled this problem by celotaping towels over the door frame. Unfortunately everyone else seems to this idea is genius and I have now lost both my celotape and my hostel towels… Luckily my grandparents gave me a fantastic travelling towel, which I cannot thank them enough for, as the shower is on the floor below, and hasn't got any room to change in it. I have to time myself perfectly to avoid awkward encounters in the corridor though....
The other travellers seem nice, but reserved and I would appreciate some company right now, as I feel a little sleep deprived and lonely. I'm looking forward to a nice long sleep tonight, and breakfast in the morning, as I've been too scared to venture outside so have skipped lunch and dinner. L I don't really want to go exploring tomorrow but I feel my need for food may trump my fears. I'm not sure what to do; the Summer palace or Botanical gardens, but I know I'm going to get lost at some point so I'll probably end up at neither. I'm tempted just to stay at the hostel as then the chance of dying is decreased, but then again, I think what a waste; I've come this far I may as well explore for 2 days before Josh arrives.
So… A jetlagged and highly emotional Millie is going to bed. Goodnight J
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