Beijing, the Northern Capital
Saturday, October 9, 1999
The train pulled into the station at 9am, but which station? Beijing has so many it seems. Eventually worked out it must be the main station. Sorted myself out and after a number of bus journeys arrived at the Lihua Fandian in south of the City at 11am. Shocked at the City prices – only RMB30 a night. I was in a dorm with a Dutch couple - Cindy and Lars who are very nice. Looked at me strangely as I stared at them as if they were the first Western people I had met for days – but infact I was just absorbed by their conversation, or at least the sound of it. They were surprised that I liked their growling guttural language, and we brook the ice. I went back into town by bus 66 to Qianmen. Walked around the shopping areas, found an ATM and then dropped by little Russia quite by accident, which is the Chinese equivalent of Novgorod according to the Ludlum Spy book I have just finished reading. It is in the East side of town [Ritan] near the International Post office. Still looking for a camera, a pair of trousers and a warm top. The days are sometimes cloudy, sometimes sunny in the afternoon but can get quite chilly in the evening. Walked too far, as is the tendency in unfamiliar Capitals, which was a little frustrating but also wandered around some interesting little local streets. [I’m sure the streets are no longer there these days!] Eventually bought a pair of Jeans that fit well back in Qianmen for RMB40 and a Samsung camera for RMB825. Phil had told me to buy a local Seagull brand which use the same lenses and design as Motorola, but I went for the simple option in the end after getting confused by the choice of decent ones. Immediately wished I had paid an extra RMB100 for the next model with English instructions and more zoom, shift focus and red-eye. Oh well, that’s what happens when there is so much choice and you get frustrated. Cindy and Lars had suggested eating together but by the time I returned to the hotel at around 8:45 (admittedly quite late), they had given up on me and already eaten. So I basically starved myself today.
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