My New Bed

What a great night sleep! I actually woke up late this morning because I was so comfortable. It is nice to be in a real bed. I felt like a little kid staying at a hotel when you get to sleep in a big bed...it was fantastic.

Tonight is opening ceremonies for the Paralympics. I do not think the ceremony will be anything like the regular olympics. We might try and go down to hang out around the stadium.

My trip to see the terra cotta warriors has been postponed. Poor planning on my part is not going to allow me to go this week. I went to buy a train ticket yesterday and it was a nightmare. The train station is one of the largest stations in Asia. I walked in and luckily was able to find the ticket area rather quickly. I saw in the distance a ticket window that said "English Speaking Teller." Jackpot!! I walk over there and the line was about 50 deep. 50 deep with Chinese people. I did not understand why they were all in the English line. My sarcastic self taps the guy on the shoulder in front of me and asks, "sir do you speak English?" He responds with hand motions and I just rolled my eyes. Two kids get behind me who were also Chinese. Kind of punk looking kids with spikey hair wearing the jeans that are really tight. Just looking at them I wanted to puke. Anyways, I asked them if the spoke English and they respond "mayo" which means no in Mandarin. An hour rolls by...I am about to lose it. The combination of standing in a long line, the heat, and the stench were getting to me. Once I got to the front of the line I asked for a ticket to Xian. The lady punches it in the computer. The total price comes to 1100 rmb. My friends who went last week paid 800 rmb round trip. I tried to explain that and she didn't understand. I asked for a cheaper ticket and she didn't understand. The people behind me were screaming and yelling and I was shouting back, "this is the English line!" IT WAS A NIGHTMARE.

I got out of line and left. I did some research last night. I am going to fly. It will cost me about 130 usd to fly and I won't have to spend 11 hours on a train with strangers in a 4 bunk cabin. The thought gives me the chills. Since I am going to fly I am going to spend 2 days there. I will get in at 10am on the 15th and check into a hotel. The first day I will go see the warriors and the second day I plan to go to the hotsprings and walk around the city. I am looking forward to it. Someone else might join me or I will fly solo. Either way I am looking forward to getting out of Beijing for a little and seeing other parts of the country.

Work is dead today. Slower then ever. Maybe 3 people have come in. It is time for an espresso and lunch.