Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Day 3 and were getting used to people taking photos of us or with us. Usually they try subtly, a sneeky photo as the walk past. Today we have been zoomed in on, pointed at and blatantly papped at all points of the day, including on video camera and even through a window when we were having lunch and whilst Nicola was blowing her nose! everyone wanted us to be in a photo with them, on their camera. So we have a new tactic- when they ask us, we ask them back- clearly not the usual thing and hilarious as it causes much confusion!
The dress sense is a little confused: anything goes, but the most popular choice for girls seems to be evening-type dresses with trainers or wedge converses. And always with little ankle high pop socks often paired with a 15cm high headband. Saw someone going down the street dressed in a ball gown in the middle Of the day- no-one seemed surprised. And there's fake Burberry evvvveerrrywhere- little round hats are the most popular variety. It seems ok to wear more than one hat at a time!
We did get some pretty cool glittery gypsy-style fans this morning in an attempt to keep cool. Not sure how long they'll last, but they definitely add a bit of Sparkle to your outfit! Also, checkout the photos of us in our Snazzy multipurpose hats....!
Among other strange sights on our way to the Beihai park this morning,
we saw two women hitting each other (in a non-threatening way), with washing up brushes- anyone know why? Strange sort of massage maybe? Climbed up another temple to get some fab photos over the whole of the forbidden city, then went across the lake (motor boat, learnt our lesson this time), to see the 9 dragon wall- which actually has 18 dragons.
Time to head to the Hutong (the little residential lanes of Beijing), where there are lots of shops, and one in particular that we fancied finding called 'wanquing pawn shop'. Sadly not a shop, but definitely an interesting Photo.
Quick trip to the Llama temple (amazing 28m high Buddha made of a single piece of sandalwood), and the temple of Heaven (different, it's round), and we're a bit temples-out, so we head for the silk market. It's six floors of everything you could possibly hope to buy...Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie, mulberry, longchamp, pearls,shoes, food, toiletries. Anyway, you're not allowed to try the clothes on (and when you realise that the xxxxl will only fit around one ankle, that rules that out), so our wallets emerged relatively unscathed (minus some fake ray bans, bartered down from 26 quid to 3 quid!), some lovely earrings, a new longchamp and a torch. Going back for more tomorrow!
Off to Pingyau tomorrow so may not have an Internet connection....check back in a few days for our first experience of a Chinese train!
Xxx
- comments
Anne Read Hello girls, Expect you will have some more successful purchases in a few hours time before you get on the train to Pingyao! Although Beijing, and it's sights, are enormous, is there a corner of the place that you haven't been??!! And doing it all with the paparazzi in tow!! Look forward to hearing all about The Train Experience! And Pingyao. I think the 'brollhats' are rather brilliant! Lots of love, Mum xx