And we got there all by ourselves!

Mandatory pretty shot of scenery to start the blog off. 

This is the view of the fish pond from outside the boys dorm room. 

Ximen Day Markets. (Thank you for the suggestion Katherine!) 

Clearly trying to swallow the train...

So the trains... You will never wait more than 5minutes for a train. And there is a countdown which is accurate to the second! There are SO many people but the system works. There are markings on the floor where you line up and wait for your train. The escalators have two lanes. Right lane, you're standing. Left lane, you are charging up that escalator. (This is my kind of place!) 

There is also a $7500 fine (Aus$250) for eating or drinking in the staition. The cellphone etiquette on trains is strict as well. The guidelines are: Keep your conversations brief. Talk quietly. Send a text message instead. 

Could we get someone from Transperth over here please?! 

Markets? Not what we were expecting!

This place was overwhelming! There were so many people and so many shops and stalls and alleys and restaurants and lights and people. (That last one needed to be reiterated)

Everything was so ridiculously cheap! I guess because it was all 'Made in Taiwan'?
It started to warp my perception a little bit and I could no longer tell the quality of something by the price of it. Was it cheap and amazing! or cheap and nasty? Some serious self restraint was exercised during this trip.


KFC anyone?

We did find some beautiful little arts and crafts stalls as well. Mitch and Amy found an alley that they say deserves a second look. We were limited with time, and this place would take you ALL day!

Ximen, I will be back for you! Aaargh so amazing! 

Cute. Photo compliments of Amy Thieme. (we are wearing our matching Geenie pants)

Oh yeah, we missed our stop home. All five of us. Good one guys!

 NOW FOR THE RANDOM STUFF! 

Tess I was thinking of you today. Still havn't seen any yellow tracksuit pants for you, but it is early days yet!

 
Ciara this is the wall at Ximen station. People send in photos of their dogs and they are put up here. I assume that it is some sort of competition, but my Chinese is not that good. Gospel! was my favourite :)

I don't even want to know what this is! But it was being displayed proudly in the street outside the Gaysian store. Enjoy. Feast your eyes/Avert your eyes. You're welcome/I'm sorry.