Beijing 2008

Kind of a false title I know but hey not feeling really creative after a week of 10..12 hour days.

Thought I'd share a bit of my experience so far.

Well flight was 12hours, and while we were meant to be on a A380 we weren't so can't say the flight was anything special, well it was Qantas and we didn't fall out of the sky. ;)

But Beijing airport!!!! I've never seen such a large open space. This place is massive, beyond belief!!!! http://en.bcia.com.cn/ Check it out, I'll add some pics when I go back there as camera was in packed luggage.

Accomodation that is provided is rather average, but I think it is tolerable for 2 weeks. Hardest part is the 12 flights of stairs I have to climb to my apartment! No joking, and no lift either. Again pictures to follow as time permits. Seriously this is the first break I've taken today, other than food, and it is just gone 11pm here.

Speaking of food I'm loving it! There is so much of it, though we've tried every restaurant (term used loosely) at a shopping centre here. Not too keen on the dining halls here as it is very much a free-for-all and a mad house, maybe I'm just not used to perhaps.

The only sight seeing we've done in the week here was last weekend on Sunday we went to Yashow Market. I must admit the idea of haggling took me a few sales to get use to but I understand the mechanics of it now. For those of you thinking of going to them the rule is start with 1/10 of their 'friend' price. 1/6 is about where you'll really end up if you stick to your guns. It's really an entertaining process, but the time required to get to your best price can take quite a bit of time.

BJUT (Beijing University of Technology) is a great campus, I am amazed at the shear amount of activity. The place is amazing and this time of year simply adds to the effect. Walking the campus at night you feel very safe and there is this very light mist which just seems to make the atmosphere that much more appealing. Google maps for BJUT

The one photo I will attach was taken from a taxi on our way to Yashow, this building is owned by CCTV who are the primary TV station for China it would seem. Anyhow so much more I could write but still have to prepare slides for tomorrow's 8am lecture! And it's now 2320.

This building is huge and such a strange design, some of the locals said that they think it looks like a pair of pants.