Beijing: last day

It’s half past midnight and although our business day has ended we are waiting for Youdai our DJ friend to arrive with a Chinese mobile phone card! Obviously as we leave early tomorrow morning it’s not an urgent delivery but it’ll be good to have one for next time, and to catch up with Youdai before we leave.

Our day began a little later than expected so we were able to grab a quick ‘French toast’ Chinese style breakfast at ‘Jackpot’.

We then headed to the British Council to meet Neil Webb and his team. Neil has supported ‘100 Words’ from the beginning so it’s always good to see him and share a meeting of minds. Next up BOCOG (Beijing Organising Committee Olympic Games). For the first time since we began our visits to the Olympic Tower the taxi driver knew the location. On the way we passed the stadium, which is beginning to look very impressive.

The day continued with various meetings. We managed to catch up with Shou Wen, one of the writers from the workshop in April. There was a bit of language difficulty but we got by with a Chinese/English dictionary placed in the centre of the table, and referred to often. Wi-fi and being able to show our website also helped.

After a relaxing Thai dinner with Neil we headed off to meet producer Cheung Fai. It was about 9.30 by this point, the taxi ride should have taken 10 mins max but there was a mix up with directions, and it took 45 mins and was about to cost our (already spent) travel allowance for the entire trip! Something had to be sorted – it was too dark to read the phrase book so both parties negotiated the fee with volume rather than words.

Cheung Fai was waiting unfazed – these things happen, Beijing is a big city and not everywhere is easy to find. Apparently a newly drawn map of Beijing is published every month (and every week in Shanghai).

A lot has happened since we met Cheung Fai at the start of our trip and it felt serendipity was at work to be meeting him at the end of our time here. We’re confident in our partnership with him, and look forward very much to the next chapter in ‘100 Words’

Now back at the Hotel we are catching up on yesterday’s news from the China Daily:

‘Woman made to give up false teeth for luck’

‘Boy learns to drink water through eyes’

‘Dogs litter includes two kittens’

‘Man teaches self to build bike by mouth’

Like I said – it’s a big city!

It’s late and we have to check out early, time to sign off.

Zai Jian

Natasha and Rachel