I went to the great wall today, which kind of feels like an accomplishment. The wall has snow!

Beijing also has these really cool alley ways, called "hutong" with old 1 story buildings and red lanterns. The city is tearing many of the Hutong areas down to build modern, tall apartments.

Leaving for Pingyao tomorrow!

Bejing

A rainy shopping area just south of Tianenmen sq, and a pic of a light, uncrowded moment in the subway (tons of people)

The weather is even colder and windy, but at least it stopped raining. I bought leggings for under my pants, and a cheap puffy vest. I wear several shirts at the same time, hat, gloves, gortex jacket, puffy vest, 2 pairs of socks, and it's tolerable. I'm hoping I wont need warm clothes once I get down to Shanghai.

I met a spunky Chinese girl in the hostel, called Quan. She's a uni student in Australia for graphic arts, and she's on summer/xmas break. She's been so helpful, and suggested we go to a funky art district called 798. It was really fun, 100 galleries in refurbished, funky industrial factory buildings, and so cold I took 0 pics. Trying again tomorrow for the great wall. Xian and another city, Pingyao (sp?) are next, wiki wiki. Then straight for Shanghai.

The hostel is nice. I'm tired. Trash pick up has people yelling in the street all morning. Glad I came all the same. I'm healthy, have woolly hat and gloves.

Beijing:

So far, it's cold (tomorrow supposed to be rain, 45 deg), crowded, dirty, people are rude and hock loogies all the time. I get stared at even more. I'd hate to see it in summer w heat and crowds of tourists. They have xray machines and metal detectors before I can get on the regular subway, police everywhere. If "the word in Rome" is sex, the word in Beijing is "grey" or "big brother" or "control", "grim"... I went to the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Sq today which was cool. I think i'll go to the great wall tomorrow and then leave. Next stop is Xian, to see terra cotta soldiers.

Green Island

Taroko Gorge

Sun Moon Lake