Beijing China

Brrr!!!! its a bit cold for Queenslanders but absolutely loving beijing. Visited the great wall and ming tombs yesterday and pretty much had the place to ourselves, it has been snowing but wasnt at the time of our visit, which dissappointed the boys. Managed to find our way on foot, with our chinese map, to tianamen square. We met a guide by chance, named julia who showed us around. She was really knowledgable, very informative and a lovely person. Our 2 hours lasted about 3.5 and we ended up all drinking tea in a cosy walm cafe. We then said farewell to julia and told her we where going to catch the bus to temple of heaven she was so worried we'd get lost as we had to change buses that she came with us on the first one to ensure we made our stop and got us on to the next one with a chinese written note for the driver so he told us when to get off. It was quite an experience the little bus was crowded and we all had to stand. the driver stopped suddenly and paul fell backwards nearly taking out the whole bus of chinese passengers which they all found very, very amusing, they are still laughing at us now I think. We went to see the chinese acrobats, Julia had told us it was not far from our hotel but again was worried that we wouldnt find it so she went out of her way to meet us that evening and walk us to the theatre. As practically noone speaks english and there are no signs in english, we are also yet to find a map in english, we were very grateful for our new friend, Julia. We've found a fantastic little cafe where the food is sensational, nothing like the chinese food back home, we go each night and enjoy the atmosphere of this crazy little place where everyone laughs and yells. They cant speak English but we manage to get feed and they try to teach us chinese and we teach them english, we eat and drink for hours and the bill is under $10 Australian... we love Beijing but tonight we are back on the train to Xian for christmas