Andrew Aigner-MuehlerChapter 4.. My first couple of full days..
December 14th 2008 05:00
I remember this day like the back of my hand. I woke up like any other day, and got ready. I can remember the night before the driver saying to me. I see you tomorrow morning. But, he didn't say what time. So, I thought I better make a phone call. I had no money, to make a phone call. I also needed a milk drink of some kind. So, I went fo a walk in search for firstly a bank. I found a bank, and then a internet cafe, of which I quickly checked my emails before returning back to the hotel to make telephone call.
On entering the hotel again. I heard a voice "Andrew", and I said "yes!", and then Gloris from A.I.T.A introduced herself to me, and took me to the office where we organised paperwork to firstly open my bank account with ICBC and then go around to the police station to register myself.
I got my first bad impression of banks in China when the wait and the queue to get served is so long. I pulled ticket number 86 but the number was only 16. It was a wait of 3 hours. during that time, we also had a chance to go to the police station.
After this was done, I had the rest of the day to my self to explore China. This day I just went for a strol around Beijing, and later that day, I visited the birds nest (Olympic stadium). On return to the hotel, to relax before getting something to eat. I also was planning to go to the Sanlitum district to check out the bars, but I had a message from reception. My plans changed. Michael and Vicki from A.I.T.A had left me a message saying that they will pick me up at 1800pm and shout me to dinner. I was quite nervous in that.
At that time, I was picked up by the driver and taken to the office before meeting Michael and Vicki for the first time. We later went out to dinner to a restaurant.I still do not now where. There were 12 of us around the table at this restaurant. It was my first taste of Chinese hospitality, and also accustom myself to the lifestyle. I was left with a good first impression.
The next day, was a free day to myself. I was told, there is only two things really to see in Beijing. The Temple of Heaven and The Forbidden City. Well, if you ever want to visit these attractions, please take my advice here. Do not visit these attractions on a National holiday. There are alot of people. The queues can be very long as well. You can easily stay a full day at the Temple of Heaven. There is so much to see there. I actually cramped what I wanted to see ther ein 4 hours, and still did not see everything.
On leaving the Temple of Heaven, I had my first taste of being scammed. The rickshaws that cycle aroud the street where you sit behind the bike. Make sure you know the price before you get on. I said "how much". He said and showed three rmb with his fingers. I said "okay". I jumped on. He took me half way, and said "it is down there, you walk, to far for me to ride". I went to give him 3rmb. He said "no! no! 300rmb". I said "no! you said 3rmb. I have no mo more money. All I have is 15rmb". He said " we go bank“. I said "no!" I started to walk off. He said "okay! 15rmb give me". I then proceeded to walk to Forbidden City where I was greeted with a huge number of people. I took my photos of each of the buildings then walked back to the hotel via Beijingzahn.
The next morning I was again picked up from my hotel, and taken to the office before later being picked up by the English head of my school and driven to Chengde.
On entering the hotel again. I heard a voice "Andrew", and I said "yes!", and then Gloris from A.I.T.A introduced herself to me, and took me to the office where we organised paperwork to firstly open my bank account with ICBC and then go around to the police station to register myself.
After this was done, I had the rest of the day to my self to explore China. This day I just went for a strol around Beijing, and later that day, I visited the birds nest (Olympic stadium). On return to the hotel, to relax before getting something to eat. I also was planning to go to the Sanlitum district to check out the bars, but I had a message from reception. My plans changed. Michael and Vicki from A.I.T.A had left me a message saying that they will pick me up at 1800pm and shout me to dinner. I was quite nervous in that.
At that time, I was picked up by the driver and taken to the office before meeting Michael and Vicki for the first time. We later went out to dinner to a restaurant.I still do not now where. There were 12 of us around the table at this restaurant. It was my first taste of Chinese hospitality, and also accustom myself to the lifestyle. I was left with a good first impression.
On leaving the Temple of Heaven, I had my first taste of being scammed. The rickshaws that cycle aroud the street where you sit behind the bike. Make sure you know the price before you get on. I said "how much". He said and showed three rmb with his fingers. I said "okay". I jumped on. He took me half way, and said "it is down there, you walk, to far for me to ride". I went to give him 3rmb. He said "no! no! 300rmb". I said "no! you said 3rmb. I have no mo more money. All I have is 15rmb". He said " we go bank“. I said "no!" I started to walk off. He said "okay! 15rmb give me". I then proceeded to walk to Forbidden City where I was greeted with a huge number of people. I took my photos of each of the buildings then walked back to the hotel via Beijingzahn.
The next morning I was again picked up from my hotel, and taken to the office before later being picked up by the English head of my school and driven to Chengde.
On the side of the road on the way to Chengde. We picked up pears.
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