IT'S FUN TO STAY AT THE.....
It just goes to show you what a dump the last place was when we think we're going up in the world by staying at the YMCA. We arrived in Xi'an yesterday and our current abode has a distinct lack of "O'clock" rooms or porn pictures on the wall. It still has a variety of bedside goodies that a good catholic girl like me can't really fathom but at least this pleace doesn't have human skin all over the carpet!! Had a totally tourist-tastic night out last night by going to a dumpling buffet dinner (which even had Andy full!!!!!!!!!!!!) follwed by a dance/acrobatic show. A group of 12 year old bendy girls throwing wooden battons 30ft in the air, before doing fifteen back flips and the splits before catching them with their little toes was definitely the highlight. Although there was some entertainment on the way there as well. Nuala needed to get some cash out so as Andy and I were waiting for her by the ATM machine a police truck pulled up and a young girl in shackles shuffled out. When Nuala was finished the girl was placed in front of the cash machine and had to pose for a series of pictures. Apparently she had tried to get money out of that particular machine with a stolen cash card, got caught and is now facing 20 years in the slammer. I think she had to go back there to explain exactly what she had done but also the quite obvious handcuffs and feetcuffs must serve as a BIG warning to any would be criminals lurking around. I was dying to get my camera out and take a piccie as well but I had visions of being pinned to the ground by the police and stuffed in the back of the van with the card criminal. You'll have to make do with the Isleworth trio all dressed uo for our big night out instead.

Only four days left in China and I have yet to achieve ONE of Miche's challenges. We're getting the overnight train to Beijing tonight so I intend to snog a local in T Square whilst eating three dead rats, wearing his brothers hat and his uncle's underpants - that should just about do it!

Stay tuned to see how I get on.
Vic xx