Animals we have encountered so far

Beijing is obviously known for being a huge city with bad air, a lot of noise and many many people. What you wouldn't expect is to run into animals at every corner.

Dogs inside the 3rd ring road are not allowed to exceed a certain size (which is tiny, so you see a lot of hairy rats and weird mixes of husky with mouse etc. Dogs are very beloved here, maybe a replacement for family members? Anyway, my favourite dog in the neighbourhood is a slightly oversized grey poodle who always wears the latest fashion (see picture: all in pink for the Saturday out).

Then, on Saturday night we went to the art district (old factories converted into studios, pretty cool). First thing when we passed the gate (we may have already had one or two drinks by that point) was the sight of a huge Bengali rabbit!!!!!!!!!!! It was chilling out on the grass just after midnight, so Mark took a picture with me and a glow stick(don't ask, all I say is Suzie Wong). The next day we came back to have a nice Sunday stroll and the rabbit had hopped away.

Then, as if the rabbit wasn't enough, we entered this big old water tower and between two free glasses of champagne (Andrea, this would have been your favourite party ever)I saw a leopard lounging on one of the sofas. It changed sofas between this and the next glass of champagne and then I saw what it actually was: some weirdo had taken a fluffy toy almost life-size leopard to this party (on a leash). I just had to take a picture and may have also laughed in his face, but I just couldn't help it. That would have been a great accessory for a Friday night in Foundation.

Sounds like a story out of Alice in Wonderland? Believe me, that's how I felt and kept looking out for the mad Hatter all night.

To finish the weekend on an animal note, we went to a Muslim Chinese restaurant with the promise that there would be a lady dancing with a snake whilst we were eating. Instead 3 different types of belly dancers ran the night, no snake in sight!

On Saturday morning, we will go out into the country and spend a night next to the Great Wall (not in a sleeping bag as suggested by my roomy at work, too cold at night now). So, we can report after the weekend, whether it's even worth bothering!