Firstly, let me say that I'm sick and bloody tired of CNN. This is the only English language channel that I can find, and if Larry King sticks his petrified melon on the screen again, I'll scream. Sure, I'd like to listen to the damage hurricane Ike caused to downtown Wartsburg again - for the 19th time - but enough is surely enough. Oh for an episode of Neighbours, or even B&B...
Ok, today was a totally free day, so after brekky I wandered down to the South Gate in the city wall (the old city is entirely surrounded by the wall) and passed through to the parkland that rings the wall all the way around. Surprise, suprise - there were the locals doin' their stuff. Let me see - tap dancing practice; exercises and stretching on various bits of equipment scattered throughout the park (kind of like an outdoors Fitness First); painting; badminton; table tennis; knitting; singing (oh, the singing); and generally just being out and about. I was watching the badminton players, when suddenly one of them waved to me and gestured for me to play. After bringing down Australia's sporting reputation, I moved on to watch several games of table tennis being played (not on the same table), and again I was asked to play. I did a bit better this time, and would have won more games if the old lady's wheelchair wasn't distracting me so much. I sent a txt to Caitlin describing this, and she took perverse pleasure in joking that they stole my camera while I was playing. Imperialist pig.
South Gate through the City Wall
Hey, he's tougher than he looks.
On top of the city walls - total length all the way around is something like 24 km.
We leave the hotel at 6am tomorrow for an early flight south to the rice terraces. I'm not sure of internet access there, so updates to this fine journal may be a bit patchy for several days, possibly until I get to Shanghai.
1 comment:
Imperialist pig - nice.
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