Cheritera Hikayati

Last October, I was asked to attend a conference in Bejing Capital, China. It was pre-winter and temperatures were about 8'C to 12'C.

I took a late flight from KLIA (pre-planned to save hotel charges) and arrived at around 7.00am at Beijing Capital International Airport..It was a co-shared flight (MAS-China Southern Airlines).

Day-1. I arrived 10 mins late at the hotel and missed the first bus heading to Great Wall.. Yup, Darn that slow taxi driver... Anyway, managed to get myself on the second bus which only tour Beijing city. There we about 10 of us from various continents, guest of the conference.

It was raining and the streets were wet. Temperature plunged from 12'C (forecasted) to 6'C. I had to wear my winter coats. The ones which i refused to bring but had to, forced by my wife.. Thanks wife! Kalau tak bawak.. mati kesejukan la. gamaknya..!

The Hotel doesn't serve Halal food. I consumed only vegetables and fruits. Two days without meat! It's killing me.. I asked around and met a Muslim Ugyur (pronounced "Wiiger"). He gave me an address to this restaurant called Tumaris. Again, alone... I make my way to the restaurant. Greeted by two 'sexy white-legged' Ugyur Girls.. there were doubts suddenly.. but since they gave 'salam',  O.K, i'm at the right place. Probably their customs and ways of living here. I forced myself not to think nonsense..  NOPE, don't even try to think about it..

Heading back to the Hotel, none of the taxi I waved stopped.. I stood by the roadside for about 40mins. Alone and cold.. Determined, I choosed a direction and started walking. Under the dimmed roadlights, I walked by flats and quarters, honestly I was worried that I might get mugged , TWENTY minutes later I found a subway station. Pheeww.. I thought I was a goner...The 8 o'clock headlines in one of the Chinese local news channel. Haha...