It was Chinese New Year. We got a whole week off school, and Beijing went mental. Everyone in China goes back to their family home, so lots of Beijingers leave the city; some people come back, but generally the city is much quieter, much less traffic. BUT...all over town shacks selling fireworks appeared on the streets! During the week there were massive fairs in the parks in the city, and almost all shops and restaurants were shut, but there are - no exaggeration - week long, relentless fireworks! I let a few off myself, and suffered a fairly burnt finger in the process. Living on the 22nd floor meant many rockets explode around my height, and they went on into the early hours, so I didn't sleep much. The highlights are midnight of the first day (Sunday) and the last day (Friday), when the whole sky is lit up; seriously, anything you have seen on New Years or whenever, it does not compare.
In January I have also:
Been skiing, twice. There is a resort (fake snow, but still) about 40mins outside Beijing, and for about £25 we can get there, hire equipment and ski for the day, which is pretty awesome. There are about three green slopes (easy), three blue (medium), five red (hard) and one black (expert). The first time five of us debutants paid for a lesson, which was useful; learning how to stop etc.! Second time around, though, I was flying; went down all the blue slopes and a couple of reds by the end of the day! I am getting the hang of the zig-zagging, stopping is pretty good, I am fairly controlled, and I only fall over occasionally! I have learnt that going slow is actually more impressive than fast though! We are going again this coming weekend, and hopefully a couple more times before it shuts in March.I have been ice skating, on a genuine frozen lake; for all that chat about England being freezing and having snow, it is colder here, I swear! I have even bought thermals (not cool/sexy). Still, it was fun skating on proper ice - not as smooth as a rink! You can also hire chairs on runners, with ski poles, and sit/ski across the ice!
I went to the Great Wall, for the second time. This time we did a proper hike - about 10km - along a fairly remote section, which was really spectacular. I have to say I have been a terrible tourist in Beijing, having still not seen many of the famous sights, but I don't think I will ever tire of the Wall; it is incredible.
I have been for an all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink champagne brunch in a 5* hotel. AMAZING. There are certain Western foods I can't/rarely eat, but this had it all. It cost about £40, which is obviously a lot for a meal out here, but think how much it would cost back home?! They had everything - fried breakfast foods, salads, soups, pastas, eggs, roast meat, grill, sushi bar, fish, oysters, breads, puddings, fruit...weird things like blended raw steak in a cocktail glass, and much more. And champagne, wine, vodka, beer....it is open from 11.30 until 3.00 and we were there for the duration! So worth it. And I so got my money's worth. I think I may be going back there for sure.
I have bought an electric bike. My old regular bike was falling apart so I have treated myself, so I now fly around the city! I can get to work in about 10 mins, probably quicker than it takes a taxi in the Beijing traffic. It is...awesome. I don't even have to pedal. I just charge it up, pull the handle back and enjoy!
I cannot remember any more. It actually hasn't been the best month, as I was ill when I got back from California, and I have not been loving the cold, but as you can see, Beijing does have a lot to offer.
Future holds two fairly solid months of work (though hopefuly broken up by the school trip - I get to go for free if enough kids sign up (fingers crossed!)), and Thailand in April. Still no decision on a job for next year...
Peace out. x
