Ireland Bowing Out

Didn't see the match but saw the result. Ireland went down 1-0 to the Czechs last night. Pretty much looks like we will be staying at home next year for Euro 2008. 3 matches left: Germany at home, Cyprus at home and Wales away. It would take one hell of a comeback to get second place. We currently stand in 3rd place on 14 points behind the Czechs, who are on 21, both of us with 9 games played. The Germans top the group with 21 points from 8 games played.

Took my first venture into Chengdu city centre yesterday evening. When a person comes from the west to Dalian, they think: wow, there are a lot of people in Dalian. When you come from Dalian to Chengdu, it's the same! My God this place is crowded! Where do they all live? Where do they all go?

I did just about manage to get to where I was going and get back. There are so many buses here and the bus information at some of the bus stops is hard to read, with the characters being stretched vertically, rather being their usual square selves. I'm sure I will get used to it.