Train Day

We boarded our train at 1:47 and that was to be our home for the next 24 hours while we journeyed across China from Beijing to Xining.

After having some difficulties booking our train due to the National Holidays where most of China is on the move, we finally got a spot on the top bunk of the hard sleeper class. We shared our corner of the train with 4 more Chinese who were occupying the bunks below us. Our train experience was similar to being in jail with a schedule of when you can eat, when you can read and when you go to sleep. Breaking these rules caused an ear full of screaming chinese from the car attendant.

Hard sleeper was not as uncomfortable as it sounds but Lianna did have some issues with the toilet in our car, (see picture) and managed to only use it twice. 25 hours later and we had arrived at Xining.

Once we arrived, it was time to grab a bite and having no clue which direction to head we stumbled into a restaurant where clearly foreigners were an endangered species. After a lot of pointing and misunderstanding it seemed we had ordered but just what, we were not sure. The entire wait staff brought out something resembling a large fondue pot and a plethora of vegetables and meat which resembled prosciutto. After sitting confused the wait staff came over again and had to teach us to cook and eat this strange concoction of items. The meal was delicious and once the meat was cooked fondue style, we enjoyed the broth as an after dinner soup. Luckily in all the confusion we managed to order broccoli as this is one vegetable Lianna actually enjoys. It was easy to bed with a full belly and a real sized bed.

This morning was an easy day as we didn’t have anything planned for the day. Our day was spent strolling around the local markets of Xining and to Lianna’s surprise, shopping for baked goods. Xining is at the crossroads of the old Silk Road and has a very high Hui Muslim population and they are excellent bakers. Lunch consisted of an assortment of baked treats picked out by Lianna and smothered with the nutella she had brought along in her rucksack.

Afterwards we picked up our bus tickets for our next destination, Xiahe which is a 6hr bus ride south from here tommorow morning.

Good News; TAR (Tibet) reopened on Oct 8th so we are set to go for Oct 19th!