Today I found out that my colleague and my manager will be going to Shanghai tomorrow (wednesday) night for training on Thursday and Friday. That means they will leave all the work to me (there are other colleagues but we do different things). So today my main role is to keep practising using Fonterra's SAP platform so that I can work by myself for the next two days and when the peak work load comes next week.
Josi and I decided to go to Xidan 西单shopping centre after work today. She heard from friends and colleagues that Xidan is a cheaper place to go shopping for. At 6pm I finished work as usual but was told by Josi that she got help up at work, so I said I'll just go to Xidan and wait for her. As I walked out of my building, I suddenly remembered a news I saw online today. It was about the 56 red poles which represents the 56 cultures in China that were placed at the Tian'anmen Square since the 60th Anniversary of PR China, these poles might be removed from the Tian'anmen Square and possibly will be placed in the Olympic Park. Then I was thinking, if I don't take a look at the poles at Tian'anmen Square as soon as I can, I might actually miss it!! So there's my impulsive decision: I'll walk to Tian'anmen and eventually walk to Xidan. 
To be honest, I have no idea how far Tian'anmen Square is from work, nor do I know how far is Xidan. All I know is that my workplace is 2 subway station away from Dongdan东单, which is the complete opposite side of Xidan西单. Anyway, I have made my decision that I will walk and enjoy everything that I can see! At the end of the night, I know I made the right choice! This is one of the best nights I've had in Beijing! Exercise wise: Xidan is about 4.5kms away from Dongdan (which is about 500m away from my work). Therefore at the end of the night, I estimate I've walked about 7.5kms (work to Xidan, then from Xidan to Tian'anmen to catch a bus home); haha, that's some REALLY good exercise. Touring wise: Tian'anmen at night is just too beautiful. 
It was quite a misty night tonight, the sky was covered up by mist. Walking through the cold winter air doesn't really kill my excitement as I walk pass multiple skyscrapers. I'm so much like a tourist, getting excited about everything I see, and taking photos when I can. The only difficulty I faced is trying to capture a photo of myself with the Tian'anmen. Along Chang'an Street there must be at least ten or more five star hotels! They all look so grand and modern, some with traditional Chinese decorations, and they shall all look EXPENSIVE!!!!! I wonder how many customers do they actually get per day outside of peak periods like Chinese New Year or Olympics? 
Along the way to Xidan, I saw many fasincating architectures: traditional Chinese buildings and gates, modern buildings with western design, hotels, museums, muscial theatres and many many more. When I suddenly realised a long red wall come into sight, I know I am very close the heart of Chinese culture. The red walls were the protection of the Tian'anmen and all sacred places that used to belong to the Chinese emperors, now they are the represent the Chinese history with symbolic meanings. This really excites me, because it reminds me that I am one step closer to finding my own roots. 
The lights used on the street began to increase; there are more patrols walking and standing on the street; and not too long after, I see the tip of Tian'anmen. The Tian'anmen is outlined with lights that shines through the darkness. This is the only tall building on the north side of Chang'an Street and the lights just made Tian'anmen more outstanding. When I finally can see the whole picture of Tian'anmen, my heartbeat paused for a few seconds. I hold in my breath, blinked a several times, even shake my head for a bit to make sure I am seeing the symbolic building in the five thousand years of Chinese culture. This is the place. It brings together the thousands of years of history and the new development of People's Republic of China under Chairman Mao. 
This is unbelievable. My mind began to come clear and my heart began to beat faster, I am actually here: standing outside the heart of China
I couldn't really believe what I was seeing. Tian'anmen, The Memorial Stadium opposite Tian'anmen, the National Museum, the parliament house, everythings here. I see the 56 poles representing the 56 ethnicities of China standing tall and proud in the Tian'anmen square. They look simply fascinating. This is again another piece of breath-grasping artwork. Can you believe this? This is the world's largest square, in the world's most populated country, in the world's fastest growing country. 
I am really having a moment of my life at Tian'anmen Square. Everything seems so peaceful and calm now, and all I can see is the success that China has achieve so far.
I stayed at the Tian'anmen Square for at least a good 45 minutes plus, but thinking that Josi might be finishing work soon and will be waiting for me at Xidan shopping mall, I shall move on. Along my walk to Xidan (still have no idea how far I'll have to walk) I suddenly had a glimpse of this round-shaped-building kind of sticking out from mid air above some trees. To be honest, at that time it really felt like the movie 'District 9', only that the round-shape globe was curving downwards, rather than like a UFO (upwards). I stared at it for a while, then I suddenly clicked: it's the National Opera House!!! The new National Opera House that shaped like a dome that is surrounded by a man-made lake and trees. The man-made natural surroundings around the National Opera House is called the 'lungs of Beijing' for its green and nature characteristics. All audiences must enter the stadium through this underground tunnel that is directly under the man-made lake. Imagine if you look up to the lake and you see all these reflections from the water shimmering into the interior of the stadium, mmmm imagination. 
Finally after 80 minutes of walking I arrived at Xidan. This is definitely a very commercialised area! This part of the area is light up by all the neon lights on buildings and shops. I saw the Xin Hua Book Store (a whole building block!!), Xidan Cultural Square, this and that department stores, markets, and everything! I randomly took an entry close by and entered into the Xidan Cultural Square.The first thing I bought was, haha, not to my surprise, candied fruits. I've been wanting one of this skewers ever since I saw Tian'anmen. It's like, this is the most traditional and popular sweet since ancient Chinese history, and after seeing ancient Chinese architectures, how can you not want one?? BUT!!!!!! This is probably the worst candied shaw I've ever had!!!! The skewer I bought was shaw with grape in the middle, but as soon as I bite into the first shaw: YUK!!! It was so disguisting! It was very dry, kinda bitter, the inner of the shaw was showing brown and ugly colour, and the grapes were a little funky as well. It was so bad!!!! YUK!!! (and i chucked it away, just too disguisting)
This particular mall I went in (Xidan Cultural Square) is kinda underground, have 3 floors underground, then ground level, then level 1. Going through the levels I saw clothing stores, cellphone stores, stores for little gifts, winter equipment stores (like beanies/gloves/socks), a magician shop, some branded shops like Giordano, Nike etc, some restaurants etc. I even found a ice skating arean (with quite a few 10-12 year girls in there sktaing and twisting on ice) and a 4D cinema (yep a 4D cinema, I tried it when I was in Ukraine, it's pretty cool). I bought a jacket in this shopping mall, found this winter jacket that was asking for 450RMB in multiple stores, but then I eventually haggled down at this particular store for 140RMB. There's floor in this shopping centre that was called the 'Korean Style' area, the clothing stores in here sells all 'copy version' of Korean Style (of course they say it's real, lol). This jacket I bought was Korean style too. Navy blue, buckles, hoodie (that can be taken off), and this funny looking bear sewed on the back of the jacket. Initially I really didn't like the bear, but I really love the colour and I made it to such a good price, and .....haha I let myself slip..... haha.
I was waiting until 8.30pm and Josi was still at work (OT). I seriously have no motivation to do more shopping or walk around so I entered into this nail penicure shop. Comparing NZ manicure shops, this one in China is not as classy or 'clean', but there are quite a few girls in there doing their nails. The basic package is just for 'caring for your nails' and it's 10RMB. I was told by the lady that it includes clip, file, polish, nail spa, protection maintenance etc. Since I'm waiting for Josi, and I have never experienced having my nails done, why not?! This is such a good choice!!! LOL!!! 10RMB for like 30 minutes, I was sittting there and really enjoying being treated really nicely, good service! hehe. My nails are so much prettier and neat, polished, and massaged too!! Hohohohoho. During the 30 minutes of my 'nail-maintenance' time, I was in this conversation with other customers and the staffs of the nail shop. The owner of the nail shop was saying that the clothing stores in this shopping centre started to close down since the recession. These stores used to have over 1500RMB per day during the weekend, and at least 500-600RMB per day during the weekdays. But now, if they can get over 500RMB per day in the weekend and between 100-200 per day during the weekday, then it's considered a good week. Hmmmmmmm didn't think it'll vary this much. (then my jacket today must obviously helped the shop owner!!)
The shops started to close at around 9.30pm, and the mall completely closed down at 10pm. Josi is still at work (poor girl) so I had to find my way home. Here goes my most exciting night!! I walked back to Tian'anmen to catch a bus (purposely did so, so that I can see the Chinese pride again). Tonight is a good night :)
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