Sorry I’ve not blogged for a couple of days, I haven’t really
had much to say! But today I went out and did a little more exploring. I think
having the blog is good as it forces me to go out and do something so I have
something interesting to write about, especially during the week when it’s much
easier to head straight home after work and do nothing!
So today I decided to take advantage of China’s cheap beauty
salons and went for a manicure, it wasn’t shockingly cheap but at 110 RMB (£11)
it was a very good price, and the salon was beautiful. I chose the one that was
recommended in my guidebook and was close to work, and when I finally found my
way there they luckily had an appointment free. The spa was called Dragonfly.
The beautician took a lot of time and care and unlike the UK
they put my hands under the air dryer for half an hour to make sure I didn’t ruin
them as soon as I left! It was a perfect pick me up treat. They do massages for
reasonable prices too, I might have to have one of them too!
After I’d had my nails done I went for something to eat and
a bit of an explore, I was in Sanlitun, which is quite near work, I came on
Sunday for a look round the shopping malls etc. but during the night it had a
completely different feel. All the bars and restaurants on bar street were
busy, with Chinese people taking over the mics on the karoke at only 8/9pm!! I'm going to have to get some of the people from work to take me out on a ktv night, they all love it, I think it must be hilarious! Although I'd be scared they will all take it seriously and I'd just be chuckling away to myself!
Further around the back where some more restaurants and shops are there were huge street cooking stands set up, cooking all different kinds of things, the smells were amazing and if I wasn’t such a chicken I would have tried something. In the end I ended up in a tempura restaurant where I had some tempura prawns, and afterwards I passed a cupcake shop, where I had a mini green tea cupcake which was surprisingly yummy! I then decided to head back as it was very muggy today, and I was tired after being at work all day! Here are some pictures I tried to sneakily take as I was wandering around:
Further around the back where some more restaurants and shops are there were huge street cooking stands set up, cooking all different kinds of things, the smells were amazing and if I wasn’t such a chicken I would have tried something. In the end I ended up in a tempura restaurant where I had some tempura prawns, and afterwards I passed a cupcake shop, where I had a mini green tea cupcake which was surprisingly yummy! I then decided to head back as it was very muggy today, and I was tired after being at work all day! Here are some pictures I tried to sneakily take as I was wandering around:
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| The street food stalls |
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| One of the HUGE KTV (karoke) buildings!! |
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| Bar Street |
One of the things that I keep seeing more and more of is
people begging, and the majority of them have no legs or, even no bottom halves
of their body at all!Tonight alone I must have seen
about 7 people, some lay down, others being guided up and down the subways
begging. It is horrible, I don’t understand how they manage, you want to help
them but you can’t give money to everyone! One boy collapsed with wooden legs
today on the subway home whilst he was begging, it was very upsetting.
On a lighter note, I decided that the best thing to do
whilst I’m here is probably to keep busy and keep doing as many things as
possible, so I’ve just signed up for some survival Chinese language
classes, they are every Sunday for two hours and hopefully I’ll meet some
people whilst I’m there! As well as learning some Chinese,I may improve my repertoire from "hello" "my name is" and "chopsticks" oh and "not spicy!"
I don't want my lovely nails to chip, so that’s all for today!
Will blog again as soon as I have something interesting to blog about other
than what I had for lunch! Hah!
xxx
That street food stall looks great, although like you I doubt I'd be brave enought to give it a go..just like the karaoke- I'm a terrible singer as you have probably heard when I'm in the shower lol!
ReplyDeleteBar street also looks interesting, but not at all like its namesake in Malia....do they do bar crawls?
Sounds like you enjoyed your pamper session this afternoon, it's amazing how much better a little something like that can make you feel, I think you should treat yourself to the massage next week :)
The survival Chinese classes sound a bit scary...I think they should have called them something a little less aggressive. I think attending them is a good idea though - great way of meeting people in a similar position and if all else fails you'll be more confident in ordering takeaway when you come home hehe!
Looking forward to reading the next installment, take care Bex xx
It sounds to me like you're already doing lots. I wouldn't worry about cramming it all in. Just enjoy the atmosphere and maybe even the street food! Although i would choose something safe for a taster. You don't want Bejing belly now do you. Just think how that would change the effect of the massage! Eww, can't believe I just put that. I can see Aunty G rolling her eyes and tutting already! Lol! Well I am 40 now so I can do what I want! I hope the Chinese lessons go ok as I would like to learn a couple of basic sayings myself which I'm sure you can pass on when you get back. I'm watching the Olympic high jump while typing this and not surprisingly it a Chinese free zone! Enjoy your pretty nails and make sure you "nail" the "not spicy" phrase when ordering from the street cooks! Take care sweetie. Luv Funcle B xx
ReplyDeleteHiya Bex, I've just looked on the website and that salon you went to yesterday looks very swish. The 'Wakey Wakey' manicure looks intriguing...do you think it is a normal manicure with a sharp slap around the face when they have finished to make sure you're not asleep?
ReplyDeleteHaha, it was kinda like being abroad, they were all trying to get you to go in their bar, but somehow I think its still a way of Malia! Haha Wakey Wakey manicure, didnt spot that one, might of had to give it a go! I think im definitely going to have to give the massages a go too, i've never had one before so makes sense to take advantage of the cheaper prices! And Uncle B, that's gross! But I'd be happy to teach you some phrases, if i ever get past my name is not spicy chopsticks!! haha! xxxx
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