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Back from China. Alive, but very tired due to progressive lack of sleep (heaven forbid I get a full nights sleep on this trip) and kinda limping from climbing the Great Wall. Walked several kilometres each day, and lost weight judging by the way my trousers were falling off by the end there. Good food, okay accommodation, late airplanes, famous sites, mostly good weather, pollution, and haggling made up the rest of my trip. Will do a full post about it when I'm not micro-sleeping. Until then, have all the little observational notes I made while I travelled (not all these things happened to me, but I did notice them...).
The Chinese like sweet drinks. This means their iced tea is fantastic.
There were no Olympics before 2008, except (maybe) for the Greek one, and that one had pandas in it.
Holding the door open for someone in China is a good way to be holding the door open forever.
China is a land of straight lines and long walks.
Good luck getting a taxi, and then good luck getting one that isn't illegal or trying to cheat you in some way.
Smile - they still won't understand what you're saying, but at least they look happy.
Say 'hello' to the Chinese student, say goodbye to your wallet.
Chinese men's solution to the heat is to take off their shirts - thank God.
The Forbidden City is really a city.
Despite their proven use in city planning, Chinese people still can't form lines.
A foot massage that lasts for an hour for $20 dollars is so worth it.
You do not want a postcard. These are not the postcards you are looking for.
Livejournal is blocked in China.
You haven't made a good bargain until the seller is frowning.
Xi'an wins points for style when it comes to road lighting. Funny how it has the worst drivers.
China Airlines flights are often delayed and usually late.
It may be historically inaccurate but the toboggan down the Great Wall is loads of fun.
The Pearl Market has very cheap electronics on the bottom floor.
The Summer Palace is worth the overpriced, overly long taxi ride.
China Airlines has a good music selection, though whatever you do, don't order the Chinese breakfast.
Bargain before you take the illegal taxi.
Making a scene gets you a better price - the more drama the better.
The Chinese are loud and tend to break into song randomly.
Get to the Great Wall at an ungodly early hour and miss the crowds.
Three dvds equals one cup of Starbucks coffee and yet the coffee is still cheaper than Starbuck's elsewhere.
The merchants at the Great Wall are really aggressive - beware!
There are no convenience store style shops in Beijing airport's international terminal.
The Chinese like sweet drinks. This means their iced tea is fantastic.
There were no Olympics before 2008, except (maybe) for the Greek one, and that one had pandas in it.
Holding the door open for someone in China is a good way to be holding the door open forever.
China is a land of straight lines and long walks.
Good luck getting a taxi, and then good luck getting one that isn't illegal or trying to cheat you in some way.
Smile - they still won't understand what you're saying, but at least they look happy.
Say 'hello' to the Chinese student, say goodbye to your wallet.
Chinese men's solution to the heat is to take off their shirts - thank God.
The Forbidden City is really a city.
Despite their proven use in city planning, Chinese people still can't form lines.
A foot massage that lasts for an hour for $20 dollars is so worth it.
You do not want a postcard. These are not the postcards you are looking for.
Livejournal is blocked in China.
You haven't made a good bargain until the seller is frowning.
Xi'an wins points for style when it comes to road lighting. Funny how it has the worst drivers.
China Airlines flights are often delayed and usually late.
It may be historically inaccurate but the toboggan down the Great Wall is loads of fun.
The Pearl Market has very cheap electronics on the bottom floor.
The Summer Palace is worth the overpriced, overly long taxi ride.
China Airlines has a good music selection, though whatever you do, don't order the Chinese breakfast.
Bargain before you take the illegal taxi.
Making a scene gets you a better price - the more drama the better.
The Chinese are loud and tend to break into song randomly.
Get to the Great Wall at an ungodly early hour and miss the crowds.
Three dvds equals one cup of Starbucks coffee and yet the coffee is still cheaper than Starbuck's elsewhere.
The merchants at the Great Wall are really aggressive - beware!
There are no convenience store style shops in Beijing airport's international terminal.
