I arrived back in England yesterday afternoon following an emotional two days in Beijing as remained very sad at leaving that beautiful land of Mongolia. Mongolia was everything I hoped and dreamed it to be, and more. A land of horses and eagles and vast open spaces. I met the most amazing people – was made to feel part of the family and truly felt like I was home whilst racing across the steppes on...

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Back in Beijing! Well, as of yesterday when I arrived at the hostel at 4am after my late plane eventually left Chengdu, and then after I finally managed to sort out a shuttle bus somewhere nearer the city. I was originally quoted 200 rmb for an airport pickup, but then later got told no one was available. Getting out the airport at 2.30 am, there were no taxis to be seen – so I was...

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It’s been a busy few weeks since leaving Sanxiang. I’ve vistited Kunming, taken a night bus for 10 hours down to see the Yuanyang rice terraces (truly beautiful!) Sleeper train to Lijiang then onwards for a two day trek through Tiger Leaping gorge... The day began early, leaving Mama Naxi’s guest house after breakfast. We took the bus to the beginning of the trail, leaving our luggage at Jane’s guest house which we would collect...

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My final day is done. Got up very early this morning – one of those rare days when I wake up before my alarm rudely shouts at me. George and I had what turned out to be our last walk up to grade 6. I was supposed to have an extra class to do some testing, but in the end I just waited in the office and said goodbye to the grade 6 teachers –...

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I have been staying in the most heavenly surroundings this past week. Yangshuo  -a place of stunning mountains and scenery, so famous for it’s beauty that one mountain landscape is featured on the 20 yuan note here.   On Tuesday evening Martha and I set off on the bus from Gunagzhou. Being a sleeper bus, we had our own bunk bed complete with pillow and soft blanket. Clearly designed for Chinese sizes, we were nevertheless...

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Hot Springs by Night... Saturday night the girls and I headed to the Springs again for some blissful and relaxing girl time. This time we were collected by their bus at our school, and so we arrived without much effort from our part. It was growing dark as we arrived at 7 o’clock, and the first thing we noticed as we entered were the pretty coloured lights highlighting the pools from within, as well as...

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Ok, let’s rewind a little now, as I haven’t yet written for a while. Let me start with last Friday night, which was amazing! For weeks, the students have been preparing for the end of year show. Amanda had been working on dances with her lunchtime dance class, and there were various acts and auditions going on leading up to this as well. Elin, Lexi and I turned up to the Stadium at 7 o’clock, which...

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Sitting here, drinking tea from my latest care package from home, and eating croissants from my favourite bakery is just about balancing out the fact that it is RAINING and my wallet got stolen AGAIN…yes, it’s just one of those annoying things that happen – particularly within a few short weeks since last time! I am gradually shaking off the annoyance I feel. Gradually… The worst part is losing (both times) a wallet that was...

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Sometimes bubbles of joy and excitement just cannot be contained and I begin to smile, or jump up and down, or laugh – or all 3 simultaneously! I get moments like this often here, like just now, walking back from the school canteen. I hear the cry of ‘Rozel!’ followed by a small Chinese girl running towards me, arms outstretched for a hug. Then after talking to her, I continue walking to have one of...

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Last Sunday was yet another adventure – of the hairdressing variety! Fed up of continually looking as though a bird could nest in my hair, I set off for the local hairdressers with Martha to hold my hand. As any girl will acknowledge, putting your hair into unknown and unproven hands is a terrifying thought at the best of times – but when you are relying on miming what you want to have done to the...

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