Fling with Beijing

After roughing it the last few train trips with the 'peasants' on the hard overnight sleepers, I decide to splurge and jump on the express train to Beijing from Zengzouh. Although the company isn't as lively (boring Chinese business men in suits as apposed to cute farm girls and snoring grandfathers) the train zips up to Beijing in under 6 hours. I get my bearings and jump in a taxi to the nearest hostel. I read somewhere that Beijing is encouraging taxi drivers to learn some basic English in preparation for the Olympic games - however my driver must have skipped classes, cause he had no idea what I was saying. Giving up, I point to the subway map and find my own way to the hostel. Everything on the Metro is being renovated for the Olympic games, and the Subway resembles a construction site, but things are clearly signposted and finding the way to my hostel is a breeze. I join a 10 bunk dorm that is full of people - music is playing, incense is burning, people are laughing and talking making for a great backpacker atmos'. I join forces with Sicilian dude named Ono, Kiwi named Phil, Swede named Karvla, Spaniard named Havae, American named Greg, Hong Kongian(?) named Adrien and we hit the town after downing some 20c pints. The nightlife is crazy and I meet loads of English teachers doing the ESL gig. Teaching in China sounds very easy compared to Korea in terms of work hours - but the wages are half that of Korea and accommodation is not provided. However everyone is just as friendly and having the times of their lives in the capital city.I spend the next few days exploring the cities Hutongs (villages of one story shacks with narrow streets and shared facilities) by bike. I barter my ass off in the Pearl market and Silk street. I sit in the back of dodgy vans, while nervous looking dudes try to sell me pirated DVD's. I have a history lesson at Tianamen square and go back in time in the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Tomorrow it's up early and off to the Great Wall! Can't believe I've only got 4 days left, not nearly enough time in China, I will be back.