At my final stop now before heading home. Counting down the days now. Very excited to go home and see everyone again, but I'll be sad to be leaving China after a year. 

My plane luckily landed half an hour early which meant I could hop on the airport link metro rather than getting a taxi. Although I got so far with the airport link, I still needed to get the metro that linked one other stop, which happened to be closed. I looked on my map and it didn't look so far, only three blocks, 'I can do that' I thought, and true it wasn't to far away, but a heavy rucksack and flip flops slows you down a lot, so what should have been a quick 10 minute walk became about 40 minutes. I made it eventually, and this time without getting stuck in a storm!

Also arrived in Beijing was my package, or giant box, filled with all my souvenirs from the past year. I cant exactly get that box very far so first task was to find a suitcase so I headed of to a big market where I managed to find one rather easily. I met Elly and her boyfriend at the metro and the three of us then headed of to the Drum and Bell tower which we went to at the beginning of the year, except this time I remembered my camera! We sat for the tea ceremony after walking round the buildings, and this time bought some of the tea to take home. Rose, fruit and lichee tea, the rose and lichee mixed together is by far my favourite, it tastes just like Turkish delight. The fruit tea is fantastic, you can eat it once you've finished making your tea, a drink and a snack, two in one, what more could be asked for? After a walk round and the tea ceremony we headed for some Beijing Duck, very tasty.

Next day, the big news is I finally have clean clothes! Had a busy morning washing and drying, then got my box up to my dorm room and unpacked it into my suitcase. It all fits, and there's still space for more gifts and souvenirs. I had a wonder round the Hutongs (old courtyard buildings) behind the hostel, lots of gift shops, have to say my favorite shops are the Tibetan ones, you walk in and its filled with the smell of incense, pretty hanging decorations, giant Buddha images, beautiful jewelery, brass, copper and silver ornaments and they have shrines set up with Thangka (Buddhist paintings of their gods which they pray to). I bought some incense and a stand from one of the little Tibetan shops down a quiet alley, and the owner was very friendly, although a little odd. I was telling him why I was in China and that i'd been teaching English here, then he asked if I had a boyfriend so I told him 'mei you' (Don't have) at which point he takes me over to the shrine and starts chanting some sort of prayer, have no idea what it was meant to be or what he said, but it's not every day you have a Tibetan guy chant a prayer for you, so who knows, it may bring some luck. 

Saturday - Josh Rosie Bethan Matt and Olly arrived today so our Project Trust group's starting to form again now. It was nice catching up with everyone and hearing all their travel stories, especially since Iv'e not seen some of them for 6 months. Me and Rosie went for a girly wonder round the Hutong shopping street buying a few more gifts and souvenirs. When we got back we joined the other four in games of Uno, team games of Uno, girls against boys. Boys won, but it was great fun although it got rather competitive quite quickly. Sitting out on the hostel balcony which we started our year on, it's strange being back at the hostel, everything's so familiar.

Sunday - Me and Rosie decided today was the day for the art district, so we managed to drag Josh and Olly out with us. The district had a bit of a mixture, some areas were really interesting others were just plain bizarre. Luke and Zak had arrived by the time we got back, then Ellie, Katie, Becca, and Katies twin Rebecca arrived later on. It was great seeing Ellie and Katie again, although we had a few tifs in the flat I really missed them whilst traveling, It'l be strange when I go home and they aren't there,. When living with someone for so long and sharing so many memories with them you get quite attatched.

Beggining of the week now, can't believe I'm leaving China this week. Just as i feel at home in the country I have to go home, but it'll be nice seeing everyone again. We headed to search out some Chinese clothes today, searching for Chinese dresses for me, Rosie, Elly, Rebecca and Lukes sisters, and Chinese jackets for Luke Olly and Zak. Me and Rosie managed to find a cheap dress, which doesnt fit fantastically, but its a nice keep safe. Sam and Florrie arrived in Beijing today, although they're staying at a different hostel to the rest of us. Almost all the groups together now, just Izzy and Sarah to arrive now. We spent the evening all together just chilling in the hostel then went out at night.

Tuesday - I woke up early this morning, so I headed off and picked up my stamp,  which I was very pleased with. I got back and Josh and Luke were just heading off to the Birds Nest Stadium, Beijing's Olympic stadium, so I tagged along with the two of them. We met Sam and Florrie at the Beijing Olymic Stadium MacDonalds, very traditional, but it was an easy place to pick out. By this point everyone was starting to run low on money, some more than others when (no names being mensioned) one of the guys decides he cant afford a simple stadium shapped astray, so nics one from the table in MacDonalds, now that really is a new low, stealing from MacDonalds. The stadiums arcitecture was really impressive, however to me the inside was just like any other stadium really. Im glad I got to see The Birds Nest, it felt sort of special, knowing thats where the last Olympics was held and its now currently being held in London. 

Two days to go and the groups all together now! Me, Josh, Izzy and Sarah went to a tatoo and peircing place today, a completly unexpected trip. It was just mentioned so I figured if I was going to get my ear peirced again now would be a nice time to do it, a final end of year change. We had the group project trust dinner at a joazi restauraunt in the evening, which the four of us who had been out all day was running a little late for but we made it, just. After dinner me, Izzy, Sarah, Ellie, Becca, Rebecca, Katie Josh, Sam and Zak went to Vics club, free drinks for all us girls was a definate pull towards that club, especially since we were laking in money at this point.

The last day...Today everyone just spent the day together in the hostel, eating, drinking and telling the last of the stories to each other. After a year together (although we've been spread over the country) we decided to spend our last day as a group before heading home. After most of the day just relaxing, nobody seemed to be up for doing anything else so I went of exploring on my own for a bit and headed to the Summer Palace, the one thing left on my list to see before leaving. It was lovely, the sun was going down so I saw the sun setting over the lake going down behind the mountains. It was very peaceful, I'm so glad I just went as it really was gorgeous. I got back and I don't think anyone had moved from where I left them all.

So it's here now, the day we all get the flight home. We had until about 17:00 before catching taxis so before heading to the airport I went back to the Summer Palace with Luke and Florrie. Since we were going to be spending alot of time on planes we decided to spend the day outside, although the weather wasn't so good, it was really smoggy today so the mountains which I could see last night, you would have no idea they existed today which was a shame.

Well...It's time to go catch a taxi...next stop HOME!

GOODBYE CHINA i have had a fantastic year, made so many friends and so many brilliant memories! I'm going to miss you China! <3