Another painful day and enjoyable evening...

I suppose I went out a lot in Beijing making up for early nights in Shanghai.

Amy and I awoke, once again I felt like crap. We went to the Pizza place directly in front of Poacher's for some solids. Yummy- it was actually really good!

I ventured out of the main part of the city to Amy's house to hang out in air con and to watch a girly movie. We had a lazy day filled with more unknown Chinese food and laying around. She came back to my place so I could get ready. We had a date that evening with Nick Anson, a friend of Ben's that I met in NY, and his friend Caroline that was visiting from England.

Nick got the scoop from a co-worker on what was to be a really great restaurant. We all expected a really great Chinese place, but upon arrival we realized it was Russian establishment with a show!!! The place was smoke filled and had large rowdy parties awaiting the acts! We did not know what to expect as we looked around and saw the motel like paintings hanging on the walls with tasseled shades that hung low over every table. I once again found myself in a completely surreal situation; I never expected this in China!

As we ate our steaks, some dancers came out. We had a salsa number, a samba, some belly dancing, some god knows what and more god knows what... but rest assured each time a set of dancers came out they were wearing less and less clothes- I think the last had on thongs with a little tube top of sorts. Thanks Nick, no really thanks. It was wonderfully hysterical and only slightly awkward!

The four of us jumped in a cab and Nick directed us to a part of town with really nice bars that surround a lake. This is by far the nicest place in China. At the entrance of this lake/ bar area were hundreds of sober Chinese people line dancing. It was the oddest image I have ever seen. They were terrible, but seemed to be having fun despite none of them smiling.

The bars were all upscale and very posh. A lot had singers or cover bands playing and many had seating by the lake. We went to a couple but ended up staying in one bar most of the time playing a crazy dice game that obviously involved drinking. I did not do very well and could never explain the game to you, I quite frankly don't even think I understood it very well!

Nick and I wanted to go clubbing but both Amy and Caroline were tired so we called it a night. It was great catching up with Nick and I saw a part of Beijing I otherwise wouldn't have.

The next day the four of us met up again and went to the silk market. I love this place!!!!! It is a multi level in door market that sells everything your heart could desire. It is the mecca of knock offs. The only way to shop here is to negotiate the price. I had been warned to cut the price by 75%. Amy and I had the best system down... we got prices below what we had originally asked for at first request. We were killing them... or so it seemed, clearly if they sold it to us they were still making a profit... but I bought to pair of eye glass frames for 200 quay- the woman originally asked for 860. Woohoo! I wish they did this in the US. The key was to act totally disinterested like you don't even want anything.

The funniest part of the experience though is how these vendors try and get your attention and the entire interaction. Some of their phrases are unbelievable! As Amy and I were walking down one hallway, stall after stall of overcrowded merchandise and swarms of vendors... each one would try and grab you and scream out to you. My favorite line was "Hey sexy lady, sexy lady" I had an entire hallway screaming that to me.. sexy lady sexy lady... My face turned bright red as I tried to dodge each and every one of them. Another quotable line is when we would low ball a price and the lady would scream " we are friend, don't make me angry!" The place is quite an experience. Nick seemed like the man with three ladies on his side, but after a couple of hours Caroline was tired so they went home.

It was my last day in Beijing, Amy and I grabbed some coffee and a bite to eat and called it a day. Actually, it was my last day in China. I was ready to leave!