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Met 3 girls this morning from Canada - Jill, Anne and Laura. Turns out they're going to the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square as well so ended up tagging along with them for the day!
The weather was a bit milder today for a change, although still pretty cold.
PHOTOS
Whilst at the Forbidden City we ended up getting dragged into a room where some Chinese girls had an art display and it wasn't until we were in there that it dawned on me that it might have been one of those famous scams where they persuade you to come in but don't let you leave until you buy something, and up getting aggressive! (Apparently they sometimes threaten to call the police as well!) Luckily however they weren't too pushy and let us leave, but not until she'd explained about each individual painting to us...
We then headed into Tian'anmen Square where we ended up getting a few funny looks and a couple of people wanted to get photos taken with us!
PHOTOS
We then headed back as the girls wanted me to show them where the market was for a bit of bartering. I'm still a bit rubbish at the whole haggling thing, I just get embarrassed (maybe its a British thing?) but the others loved it! I ended up buying a Mulberry Alexa bag for the equivalent of about a tenner! The fakes there are amazing so I'm thinking of buying a few things and shipping them back to the uk, so get you requests in now if you want anything!!
We then went back to the hostel and I booked my train ticket to Xian (it's slightly more expensive doing it through the hostel but it saves the hassle of finding an English speaker at the station). I leave on Sunday at about 3.50 and get into Xian just before 6am! I'm on a hard sleeper on the bottom bunk as someone recommended that one as you can shove your backpack under the bunk, but another girl said the top bunks are better as you can kind of hide away up there. Ah well, I'll see what it's like and learn for when I book my Shanghai tickets.
After that we went to an Irish bar because A guy from the hostel was performing a standup routine so we went to support him. There started off with 4 people on the list but as more and more people got drunk there ended up about 20 people going up and all getting progressively worse, funny though!
- comments
April Jones (Mum) Dear Sarah, this is a wonderful blog and keeps me up to date with all your adventures! I love the way you are getting into haggling- you'll get better. It sounds as though you have found your feet a bit now and some good pals to go out and about with. Love Mum xxx
Patsi (Mum's friend) An amazing blog Sarah! You make me very jealous. Enjoy your travels! X
Neil Excellent Blog. How's your Chinese holding up? Does your phrase work? Dad
Adam That was definitely a scam that you avoided there. When I was in Beijing, a couple of mates came back with loads of painting that they bought at the square, thinking that the artisits were from the Beijing art school. Turns out that they wer'nt and that its one of the most common scams out there, they were all fake! Too bad they spent good money on thm, so well done for that nifty swerve! Bartering is class too. Literally go for half the price they suggest. Trust me, they look all offended and everything, but really they're still making profit. I got all my stuff for the price that the locals pay for them because I flirted with all the girls selling! When I went to have my final suit fitting, there were 7 girls there wanting to measure me haha. The silk market is the best place, you been there yet? And just for the record, the gortex jackets are most certainly NOT gortex.x
Mum Sarah, don't forget to take photos with your camera rather than your phone. You may be doing that already- if so please upload some when you get a chance. xxxx
Hil best cousin ever!!! Saga the blog is beautiful, it's going on my bookmarks! :-) Barter all you can, always pretend your leaving and looking around. Say you only have the amount you want to pay, but always with a smile! If cold always tuck the bottom layers in! And Janie would say wear a VEST!!! Haha, Xx when you get to Oz I have a very good lovely friend called Jennie and her Boyfriend they have a place with you can crash in etc in Sydney if needs be xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Janie Hi best Niece ever !!!!!!!!!!!!yes don't forget the vest i have mine on ! I love your blog its soooooooo coooool, just remember what your Dad said don't trust anyone so take care and strap your backpack to you when you sleep on the train, xxxxxx
Sophie staffaaaa Beautiful blog cousin! Can't wait for the next chapter, it will definitely keep me enterained (and very jelous) whilst sitting slaving away at my desk! The Canadians sound lovely and HELLOooo Mulberry Alexa, love your work cuzza! You will probably be on the train now...hope bottom bunk is nice and cosy, safe journey sags! Love you! xxxx
Alma Hi Sarah! What fantastic stuff! You have more guts than I ever had. Just never trust anybody, including children. Will be thinking of you. lots of love. xxx
Ann & Graham It sounds like you are begining to have a great time Sarah ... it must all be very exciting. As for the bartering ..well I guess it is just a steep learning curve .. treat everyone with a certain amount of suspicion! Take care, love Ann & Graham xxx You will have to ask Aunty Alma what my Nana said about chinese !!!!!
saaaags Hi everyone thanks for the replies! I've been writing and keeping them on my phone until I get wifi so there may be like 3 uploads at a time! Dad - the phrase kind of works but iv learnt some other basics which help! Adam - iv found males easier to barter with cos they just get shy haha. The woman are AGGRESSIVE! Hil and Soph - aw thanks guys. Will try and keep as updated as I can! Janie - yeahh everything is on lock down! Alma - yes im keeping my wits about me as much as I can! Anne/graham- what's this about Chinese!?