Competing with the Great Wall

We've been kept so busy these past few days. Our first assignment is due in tomorrow and the second was set today; I've a lot of work to do!! A couple of us went to the silk market on friday for a spot of shopping. Camilla and I weren't buying, but we had a fantastic time anyway. The vendors we're teaching us Chinese phrases such as "rip-off" and "too expensive" which we then just repeated almost incessantly until whoever was haggling at the time got their price. The vendors were actually in hysterics. I think it was the westerners massacaring their language more than anything, still it was a most enjoyable experience! Yesterday was our tour day. We had to meet at 7.30am which was such hard work!  We went to the great wall. I've heard that it's supposed to be quite a disappointment but it was amazing! Absolutely beautiful. It may have been freezing, excessively steep and hard work but reaching the top of the section gave me such a sense of pride and it was simply breathtaking. Being white, lots of chinese people kept asking us to be in group photos with them, we all obliged obviously. Some of the guys took to throwing themself in whatever photo was being taken no matter what. It was slightly amusing I won't deny it! Coming back down was much easier than going up mainly because it was mostly downhill and also because they had handrails of the steep parts, which, being the child that I am, I slid down; a much speedier descent and a stroke of genius if ever I ever I had one!! Following that we headed to the Ming tombs. They were so dull. The gardens were lovely but inside, it was empty and everything was hidden, I'm not sure why one would want to go to look at some boxes but at least I can say I've been. We we're treated to lunch in a nice restaurant attached to a ceramics workshop. It's pretty cool how they make some of the ornaments. I think the main attraction there for most people was the fact that it had western toilets; always a plus point! Put it this way, I should have strong thighs by the time I come back! We finished off back at the silk market, which wasn't quite as entertaining before heading for a meal at Beijing's 2nd most fanous restaurent. Not that any of us have any idea what it was called but it had that reputation. It is Chris' birthday today so we went out last night. We found this wonderful bar/club thing in the centre and we had such a good night. We found a group of americans who are also staying at the UIBE so we chatted to them and somehow I managed to find about 3 groups of germans in the place and thus practised my Deutsch. One of them was on a stag do. Not saying I understand either. The thing that really confuses me is how I lost a belt. Camilla lost her coat but a belt?? Everyone agrees that it is completely strange. Trust me huh! After such a long day yesterday I have been so tired today. On top of that, all of the shops on campus are shut until after the new year. I should really go finish my assignment.