Our First Day in Beijing

After agreeing that following Matt to a smaller, less popular hostel was a good idea (to avoid staying with the American from Arkansas) we left the train station and started walking. As I navigated the three of us through Beijing towards the hostel, I couldn't rid my face of the huge smile that was stretched accross it. It was sunny and warm and the city was bustling. Street vendors selling sliced pineapple on sticks and all kinds of fried food shouting "hello" as we walk by (the only English word they seem to know in a desperate attempt to get westerners attention). Rickshaws ride past us trying to get our business and hotel touts trip over themselves trying to get near us. I think the huge bags on our backs were an obvious indication that we were travelers in need of a place to stay. We stood out and I liked it. I really felt like an adventurer. Such a culture shock, so much neon and noise - I'm seeing it all but it's just not quite registering yet.

We find the hostel, which is just 5 minutes walk from Tian'anmen Square. It's 40rmb which is under 3 pounds a night - grotty but cosy, the hostel has everything we need from food to laundry service and internet. They even have cheap sightseeing tours available. Everyone that we met on the train had arranged to meet at our hostel at 7:00pm for dinner and drinks. I noticed conveniently situated accross the busy main street that there was a nice looking restaurant which we all decided to try. The food was amazing and only cost 2 pounds per person. I have a feeling I might enjoy my time in China more than I thought. I dropped my chopsticks on the floor by accident and jokingly asked Benita how clean she thought the floor was. She accurately replied with "not very". Less than a few seconds later, one of the respectable looking women from the table opposite made a horrible 'hackling' noise before spitting on the floor. My jaw dropped as we all looked in horror.

A few strange things about this restaurant: 1) Our waitress asked for the money up front by saying "pay now". 2) They have no toilets - the nearest one was simply "outside". Big steaming dishes with dumplings are popular with the locals and arrive at our table in giant wooden steaming dishes. In addition to the dumps, we all picked a main dish and shared. This worked out to be a lot of food. Maybe a little too much food. We were all stuffed and remember laughing at the mounds of food still left on the table as we stood up to leave. I waved goodbye to 'spitty lady' as we left the restaurant. The filthy woman. Whilst I was walking along the busy street I was approached by one of the many beggars. One desperate woman grabbed on to my shirt and wouldn't let go. I kept walking shaking my head and saying "no", but still she clung onto me with one hand while shaking an empty cup in another. I was practically dragging her at one point. I have never experienced anything quite like this before. It was a real eye opener.

From the restaurant we made our way to a bar which was a short taxi ride away (after taking the subway to the wrong station). The bar was like any other and in fact reminded me of a few bars in Manchester. I had a great night enjoying the good company. Banita told me and Ali that we should visit them in Australia when we get there. I danced on a table for a short while which was a good indication that it was time to go home.