So this morning my taxi driver taking me to work got lost. I had given him instructions written in Chinese on how to get there but it still didn’t seem enough. He stopped multiple times to ask other drivers and even at one point did a U turn on a major road (an interesting experience on its own!). Added to this he didn’t speak a word of English. Eventually we got to the office but I can’t help but wonder if he was giving us the run around!
Some general observations about Beijing:
- There is development going on everywhere on a massive scale
- Everything outdoors is covered in a thin layer of dust - presumably blown down from the surrounding desert
- The air is very dry and the pollution is sometimes visible
- Nearly every time I touch something like a light switch I get a small electric shock, rather worrying!
- I have never seen so many cars - if you think London is congested this is something else…
- Whereas the UK starts to close down around 5pm, in Beijing this is the busiest time
- You can buy Windows Vista here for 10 RMB (about 1$), legality questionable!
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Well I’ve arrived in one piece just about - first impressions: WOW. Beijing is on a scale unlike I’ve ever seen before. The buildings are big, brash and there are thousands more being built everywere you look. The streets are alive with activity and hopefully once I’ve got my brain in gear it should all make a bit more sense! Time for some sleep before the real fun starts tomorrow…
P.s. Both Google.com and BBC News are blocked from the hotel connection I’m using. Consider me living under media blackout!
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See you on the other side!
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Well it’s been in the pipeline on and off for a good few months now but finally it’s confirmed; in around 10 days time I’ll be moving to Beijing for a few months to work on a project for my company!! I can’t say how excited and nervous about this but I’m really looking forward to the challenge. The next week is going to be a crazy scrabble to prepare everything, I already have a list as long as my arm to take care of!
Update (24/1): I’ll be leaving the UK this Sunday 28th, arriving in Beijing Monday morning. The office I’ll be working at is in the “Zhongguancun” region known as the Silicon Valley of China, north-east Beijing. Whilst I’m planning on posting here as often as possible things might be quiet for a couple of weeks whilst I acclimatise to the local conditions!
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Never let it be said that I am not a trend setter in all aspects of life, in fact when it comes to clothes I consider my wardrobe to be the *hight* of fashion. With this in mind I decided to take a leaf out the latest in couture from South Korea: behold the Sheep Head (literal translation), otherwise known as the “Princess Leia towel doo”.
For those who don’t speak Korean:
- Fold towel length-ways 3 times
- Fold the ends over themselves until secure
- Turn over and find opening
- Pull opening apart till head sized
- Place on head (your face may or may-not blur as show!)
Walking down the street will never feel the same again, warm ears and a dry head are just some of the benefits of having a Sheep Head. Worn as an every-day accessory by both young and old this is the essential 2007 look, heading from a republic peninsular to your head shortly. You heard it hear first!
I’m wearing mine right now, are you?! Reader submissions of self-portraits always welcome (although NO cutsie babies or animals please!!).
*sarcasm implied
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