Hello from the busy city!

COUNTRY: China
PROGRAM: GapBreak
PROJECT: Teaching
WRITTEN BY: Eleah Zisis

Three and a half weeks have flown by so fast and my time in Beijing is nearly over but new experiences are coming my way. Where to start, there is so much in Beijing it's unbelievable! The first thing at this time is the cold! A big difference to Australia but after a little bit you get used to rugging up! The accommodation is really good, this year we were lucky and got our own rooms. The food is good, some places better then other but most of the time you have no choice but to use chopsticks. It makes you have a laugh and as always practice (everyday, every meal) makes perfect.

Everywhere you go is busy , the driving is mayhem! Getting in a taxi would be the scariest part of the day but luckily I haven't experienced a crash yet but I have been close. It's crazy thinking that almost the whole population is in this one little state/province. The classes were great and taught me so much about teaching. The teachers are really awesome and everyone is friends so class is always fun as well. Classes run from 8.30-3.30 with 3 breaks in between so the day flys by.

Summer palace was amazing it was snowing the day we went so everything was white and very slippery! There were a few slips along the way but it is an amazing place. We also saw an acrobatics show which was breathtaking. I've never seen anything like it. Shopping at the markets become a weekly occasion for me as everything is so so cheap and bartering is always fun. The Temple of Heaven is extraordinary. It is massive and so peaceful! Wang fu Jing (food market) is interesting. If you want to try a scorpion, snake or grasshopper that's the place to go! It does come with a funky smell though. Off to climb the Great Wall. Steps and more steps with the result of very sore legs. Now I can say I've climbed the Great Wall.



It's very easy to come home very late after a night out. There are a lot of clubs and bars everywhere which are great to meet new people. Transport is cheap, the best way to go is usually the subway 2yen for where ever you want to go though it is quite busy and cramped. So much more to come will post more soon !