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Hi Guys,
It is so safe here.
There is no personal crime (apart from theft). Wonderful. So good for us foreigners. A dream land. I especially feel safe with all the security everywhere. Soldiers parade around town, especially Tienanmen square. In fact the soldiers are everywhere - every shop, many businesses. Military guards strut around in green uniforms and white gloves, looking like tin soldier robots.
Yes it is safe here for us travellers because one step out of line by a local may bring consequences that don't bear considering.
And of course the supervision is great! There are closed circuit cameras in the public squares, streets, hotel corridors and public buildings - everywhere. I just know that my stuff is safe because those in control are watching out for my welfare.
Attached is a shot I took just outside the forbidden city, as my protectors strutted their stuff and displayed a strong presence.
Israeli soldiers look like slouches by comparison. But the Israelis ask questions first and only shoot later. I know which I prefer. I guess I am a bit homesick...
I hope you are all safe
And of course the supervision is great! There are closed circuit cameras in the public squares, streets, hotel corridors and public buildings - everywhere. I just know that my stuff is safe because those in control are watching out for my welfare.
Attached is a shot I took just outside the forbidden city, as my protectors strutted their stuff and displayed a strong presence.
Israeli soldiers look like slouches by comparison. But the Israelis ask questions first and only shoot later. I know which I prefer. I guess I am a bit homesick...
I hope you are all safe
love Al
PS:
We are in the small village of Shaolin, 9 hours south of Beijing, the birthplace of Kungfu. But not of sewerage apparently.
And they can't speak English. Nada. Gurnisht.
"Wo bu ming pai" (I don't understand) has been my most useful sentence. They just ignore it and blabber on. I have tried discussing this with Penelope but she is going through her own issues - she is not very happy with our dirty bathroom (it may be a 'sit down' - but it's still too big for her, so she is still annoyed). So I have been very much alone while she sulks in my bag.
But I am thinking of you all, wishing you were here to enjoy with us all the local customs - the constant snorting and spitting and the ongoing hunt for usable toilet paper (good thing I stole some from the hotel in Beijing), the ubiquitous lit cigarettes (the locals seem to light up whenever they are in a confined space without ventilation - buses, elevators, restaurants and the like). It's also quite an exciting challenge when people lie to you in a foreign language (it's all Chinese to me...)
We saw a great sunset tonight and will be climbing a mountain tomorrow so we are looking forward to less snorting and sewerage, and more waterfalls.
As ever
Your intrepid travellers
"Wo bu ming pai" (I don't understand) has been my most useful sentence. They just ignore it and blabber on. I have tried discussing this with Penelope but she is going through her own issues - she is not very happy with our dirty bathroom (it may be a 'sit down' - but it's still too big for her, so she is still annoyed). So I have been very much alone while she sulks in my bag.
But I am thinking of you all, wishing you were here to enjoy with us all the local customs - the constant snorting and spitting and the ongoing hunt for usable toilet paper (good thing I stole some from the hotel in Beijing), the ubiquitous lit cigarettes (the locals seem to light up whenever they are in a confined space without ventilation - buses, elevators, restaurants and the like). It's also quite an exciting challenge when people lie to you in a foreign language (it's all Chinese to me...)
We saw a great sunset tonight and will be climbing a mountain tomorrow so we are looking forward to less snorting and sewerage, and more waterfalls.
As ever
Your intrepid travellers
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