Excuse me, sir, but are you Mr. Robertson from Australia?
Yes, I am.
How do you do, Mr. Robertson? Welcome to Beijing!
How do you do?
I'm Lily.
Oh, it's great to meet you, Miss Lily.
I'm also glad to meet you. Please come this way. That's our car. Your baggage can go in the boot.
Good.
Is this your first visit to Beijing?
This is my first visit to China. It has been my long-cherished desire to pay a visit to your beautiful country.
You are going to stay in Beijing for...
Five days. And then I have to fly to Xi'an. My wife will be waiting for me in Hong Kong. But on my way to Hong Kong I will visit Guilin first.
That's a wonderful idea. Well, Mr. Robertson, were you born in Australia?
No, I was born in London.
No wonder I can understand you so well.
Yes, I speak British English with a bit of an Australian accent.
I find it hard to understand some Australian friends who speak Australian English.
Do you? I think it is because we Australians speak very quickly.