Tower hamlets

The great wall of China. One of the most magnificent things i saw on my travels. When you arrive at the top you are assigned your own beggar, mine was an 90 year old wizened woman, not a problem i thought I'll shake her off and promptly broke into a light gallop. Not a hope, this woman was as fit as a bloody marathon runner.
I managed to walk about 6 towers before I was stopped by a army official with a rifle. The wall up ahead was in a bad state of repair and some tourists fell off the other day and were killed!

Stretched nylons

Moat around the Imperial palace beautifully serene.

Have you ever felt an eerie?

Inside the Imperial palace which was closed to outsiders for centuries. An amazing place with an eerie feel.

Imperial leather

The Imperial Palace aka the Forbidden Palace, again not a bad picture but pollution.

Squashed students

Tiananmen Square and scene of the squashed students many years ago. No not a bad shot or a misty day but pollution! I was told not too look at the sun directly as i may damage my eyes. Apparently the ozone layer is seriously depleted over Beijing.
It is over 100 degrees and all the car owners have their air con on all day. Add to that the fact that the MOT doesn't seem to exist over here so all the buses and trucks (and there are a goodly amount of them) pump out great plumes of acrid black smoke every time they move and you can begin to understand why.
Sad and scary at the same time. Fantastic place all the same. This picture was taken from inside the forbidden palace. I was soaked with sweat from just walking it was so hot.

My cab is yellow!

6 days and 9000kms later we arrive at Beijing railway station, bedlam!
People running and screaming everywhere. No not a terror threat but normal everyday life in downtown China. Phew what a culture shock. Still its all part of life's rich tapestry.
It must be nearly 100 degrees i don't speak any Chinese I'm fat and Ive got to find a hotel.
I leave the station and am pounced upon by cabbies all tugging at me and screaming. (you'll read the word screaming a lot from now on as it seems to be part of Asian life)
Suddenly i hear the words 'my cab is yellow' That's my man i say to myself, anyone who declares that his cab is yellow to get a fare is a wise man in my book. 'take me to a hotel' i exclaim. My cab is yellow he replies.......!