Hey Lovely Girl, You Want Dolce & Gabbana Jacket!?

Written on the 27th February

Hey Lovely Girl, You Want Dolce & Gabbana Jacket!?

Yesterday was the most eventful and exhausting day! We managed to see the Great Wall, Ming Tombs, an Acrobatic Show – we also went out for lunch and dinner AND visited the Yashow Markets followed by an OPEN BAR party at a club…I smelled disaster.

The Great Wall was incredible – I guess what’s most incredible is that you’ve always heard about this Wonder of the World… and then to actually physically be stood on it and walking up it is a pretty amazing feeling. It’s no walk in the park though, it gets pretty steep and the ground can be really unleveled…and frightening! BUT definitely recommend (if and when you’re in China) that you check it out and try and spend at least a few hours pushing yourself as far as you can go! … I did not do this myself…

The markets in China are a tad bit overwhelming… when I heard I was going to the “Yashow Markets” … I imagined this rustic square with stalls selling souvenirs and Chinese delicacies in the midst of street show performers. Ah, not so much. It was basically a 4 story shopping centre with the most stalls of clothing, accessories, souvenirs, kitchenware, electronics, and ANYTHING else you can think of. It’s great for shopping but HORRIBLE for browsing. They do not leave you alone! You can’t walk by without the salespeople screaming out to you “Hey girl, you want purse?” “Hello! Hello! You need socks? I give you good price!” “You like these boots?” … I hear these voices in my sleep now… make it stop!

I complain now BUT I did walk out of the shop with two cashmere scarves (just £3!), a terracotta warrior statue (£4.50) and an Abercrombie sweater (£8). To be honest, the whole idea in the markets is so you get the chance to learn how to negotiate... you’re supposedly able to get them down by more than 50% but I’m not one for negotiating. Haven’t got the umph for it.

The acrobatic show completely blew me away. I’ve seen a few circ de sole shows in Vegas but obviously it wasn’t the same thing at all. This was really unique and the stunts that they pulled (seeing as “health and safety” regulations are probably different here) were out of this world! Blindfolded guys running on wheels that are spinning in the air, 15 girls on one bicycle… it was great.

The open bar party? Uh-oh. I think everyone had a FAB time… but there are definitely a lot of soreheads today… and maybe a few “oh no, did I do that?” moments. Ah well, that’s part of travelling abroad!  

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