Ana_Back in China

Last long train ride for a while! We left Mongolia on Thursday, October 26 at eight in the morning. I was so glad to leave. Wasn’t looking forward for the 30 hour train ride to Beijing. One of the highlights of the train ride was the attendant for our carriage tried to charge us for tea right at the end. She didn’t know English but manage to know how to say “1 dollar.” I questioned that right a way and asked her how come she told us now and not when she brought the tea the night before. Plus it looked like courtesy tea. I was hesitant to give the dollar. The Japanese dude in our carriage said he gave the dollar although he also thought the tea was for free. I asked other people on our carriage and another local explained in her broken English, basically she was asking for money under the table since she didn’t earn that “much money.” I saw it has she was trying screw the foreigners because we didn’t know any better. She knew what she was doing and left us alone. She told the local to tell us it was just a dollar. I was so pissed. It was the principle, just because we’re foreigners doesn’t mean she has the right to mess with us. I was so glad I didn’t give in this time. It’s all about the principle. She has to learn not everyone is going to fall for her scam. I thought she had a decent job and I’m sure she collects plenty of money with her tea scam. We’ve been on other trains before were hot water is free and if they’re selling stuff is in a cart and you pay right a way.

We arrived at the same Central station in Beijing. Took a cab back to our usual hostel – Downtown Backpackers. It was our third time staying there. Apple, one of the receptionists, was there and remembered us from the previous time. Decided to go for a haircut. I felt daring enough. I tried to explain I just wanted the end. Well, he cut off a bit more than the ends. But I like it. It felt short again, I was kinda letting it grow, but oh well, it will grow back. After we went for a message. It thought oh it shouldn’t be to bad this time, it was a girl doing it, but no. I was still sore after. I decided no more massages for me in China. Their technique always leaves me sore the next couple of days.

After we had duck and beer for dinner. It was so good. I loved duck so tender and juicy!


Next day train to Suzhou...
Mani here we come…I was so excited in a day I was going to see my sister again. We were taking the night train to Suzhou. I had called her that morning to get the pronunciation of her city, since we had to take a bus from Suzhou to her city- Zhangjiagang. I kept practicing all day how to say it. While we waited for the train we went to the silk market in Beijing. They basically sell knock off of brand purses, shoes, suitcases, watches, clothes. Also they had crafts, scarves, ties, knit knacks of all sort. I wanted to buy everything. Tim kept telling me to wait in Hong Kong so we don’t have to carry it one more month. It was so tempting. I felt like a kid in a candy store but couldn’t buy any candy. The vendors were driving me nuts. I couldn’t just browse with getting yelled at COME LOOK, CHEAP PRICE…they even grab my hands a few times to look at their stuff. My favorite thing about the market was a poster sign Tim spotted next to the stairs that had English translation to what we thing they’re taught to learn. One part was the good one with things like – YOU’RE PRETTY, IT LOOKS GOOD ON YOU, TRUST ME IT’S GOOD QUALITY. And the bottom part said things like – SHIT! GO AWAY, can’t remember the rest. But basically they’re told to tell the client fuck off if they want to. It was funny to read that.

Before heading back to get our bags at the hostel we saw a Starbucks near the metro. Couldn’t resist, we had a delicious mocha frapuccino with whip.

On the train we got the bottom bunk beds. Tim laid down right away so people wouldn’t seat on it. It didn’t work he had one guy sit by his feet the whole time. He was so annoyed by that. I was laughing. The guy spoke a little bit of English he kept showing us pictures of paintings which he claimed it was his. Not sure but they were nice paintings. Finally the lights turned off about ten. Everybody went to their bunk. We had other four roommates.


Visit to Zhangjiagang Sun. Oct.29 – Mon. Nov.13
Slept very well in my bunk, like a normal night of sleep. Arrived in Suzhou about 7 in the morning. We walked to the bus station. It was longer of walk than I thought but we made it. I managed to say “Chong-gia-gang” and the lady understood me. She said it back to me with the correct accent I just nodded and she gave me the tickets. The bus ride was only a little more than an hour to the city.

The security guard was nice enough to phone my sister at the gate. She came out running to get us. It was so nice to see her. She took us to her building where the other four teachers from the states also live there. It was really nice. She has her own room with a computer and a bathroom. Very well set up. The school is big. It has several buildings since the students sleep here.

The first week just flew by. We hung out, caught up with our blogs, chatted with Mani, watch movies on the computer, played cards, ate kungpao chicken almost everyday, went to local store to buy snacks, went to the local bars few times, went to three of my sister’s class and so on. It was nice to just relax and do nothing. Although towards the end I was getting anxious to do something more active. I haven’t left yet, but I’m going to miss her a lot. I love just hanging out with her and Tim. Couldn’t ask for more.



Las Hermanitas!