Ni Hao,

So much has happened since my last entry and when I tried to write, on the morning we left Beijing, it didn't save - so I'll try once again.

Before we left Beijing we had our last early morning taiji/Kungfu lessons, culture courses and trips around the area. We had our Chinese calligraphy session on Monday where we started to learn how to write Chinese characters and it wasn't simple. I'm still trying to get to grips with the way the system of writing here works because I hear lots of different things from different people. Does it work by sounds, like English, or does each symbol represent something different as a collection of strokes. Written Chinese is so difficult, even the Chinese themselves say so.

On Tuesday we had a busy day, we went to visit the temple of heaven, a place used for worship many years ago and then went shopping at Hongqiao Pearl Market. I believe my haggling skills are improving after watching the masters at work ;) I've learnt some good tips and later I'll read Aldaine's Guide to Haggling, which he wrote himself might I add. :) We then later went to watch a very loud Beijing Opera show. It was based on a very famous Chinese story about an emperor who has to go to battle but does not want to leave his wife. His wife doesn't want him to worry so she commits suicide. As Opera's normally are, it was highly melodramatic. The music consisted of loud banging and very high pitched singing. It was a difficult thing to take seriously as it was quite a traditional Chinese art and very different to what younger generations are used to but very interesting at the same time. I was looking around and many people were intensely engrossed so there must be more to be added to my knowledge in order to have appreciated it fully.

On Wednesday we had our last Taiji/kungfu lesson and then went to visit an NGO. We visited the Beijing Hong Dandan Educational and Cultural Exchange Centre. It is aimed at providing cultural products and services to visually impaired people through arts, music, film, TV and other activities. Their vision is to enrich life and promote development in a way that lets disabled people enjoy life like the average person would. It was an inspiring place as a woman founded it by herself and it is now the only one like it in the whole of China. The government provide very little support for organisations like this and so it is funded by enterprise. It has made me realise how lucky we are in the UK in many aspects. We have the NHS and lots of opportunity. It is definitely easier for a disabled person to get the support they need in the UK and I think many of us take that for granted. This place was truly inspiring. We saw classes being held for people that wanted to do drama and music. The idea is to enrich their life spiritually.

On Thursday, we had our final test for our language lessons which was so much fun. Listening to groups speak and some act was very entertaining especially Imtiaz and Joe. "SHENMA" Hilarious! You probably had to be there. Later on I had my first Indian in China and it was GORGEOUS! I never realised how much I missed it! Mango lassi, aloo gohbi, keema matar and Chicken Korma. mmmmm... it was sooo good!! All the South Asians were going crazy! I was so happy after that meal! :)

Our last day in Beijing was emotional. It was sad leaving but now a different type of journey has begun. I am missing Beijing, Ariel, Julliette and Toles so much and it feels as if when we were just settled and comfortable we had to leave and begin all over again. It's ok though, because we are experiencing something different and new. A different part of the journey. I should deal with this in a different way because Shanghai isn't Beijing and I should embrace that. I have so many lovely memories that I will keep with me about the happenings of Beijing. I miss the lessons, the teachers, the campus, the students, the people and the hotel.

But hey I'M IN SHANGHAI!!

We went to a Chinese school today and had our induction. We will be going on a city hunt with some of the Chinese fellows that we met today. I am the only girl in my group which should be interesting *rolls eyes :p and we're looking at architecture. I like my group and met some very nice Chinese teenagers today. It will be great to meet more of them. They will also be selecting their fellows for home stay. We'll see ho that pans out.

It will be different here. We can all sense it. We'll just have to see what awaits. Shanghai has a new type of culture, a culture that I have never experience before. It is a modern culture fused with a semi-alien one. It will be interesting.

Zaijian

Pooja x