Seoul and Departure

       To John:    Hope all was OK and you enjoy the nice shoes I dumb dumb left behind in haste.  If they don't fit, you know where to return them for a full refund. I had to leave before you returned so just wanted to thank you!  

        I managed at the airport, got on board and we arrived in Seoul about 10:45 or later...then after customs...money change I ran down to the train...no...over...bus...no over....subway...no over...taxi yes for $120000 Won!   I didn't have it!  We accept credit...OK...what could I do?  So at 170 Kilometers per hour he drove like we were on the Autobohn...I was getting nervous when he went through the toll gate at 80 with the gate down...he had a sensor that auto charged him and the gate came up just as I thought he was going to hit it.  Now I am tightening my seatbelt and my heart is racing.  I got an adrenaline high and he is back up to 170 passing everything on the road.  We passed the Seoul boundary and he slowed down to 130 then a stop light and he couldn't stop in time and just rear ended another taxi. Not a major deal but enough to warrant pulling over.  The passenger in the taxi bolted and I tried but had too many bags and he assured me only a minute...they both took pics of the damage and of each other's plates then finally we were on our way.  When I did arrive at the hostel, I gave him the credit card and he ran it for  140,000 on the meter ...20000 more that quoted..I argued it was because of the delay caused by the accident... If it wasn't almost One AM,  I would have refused to sign and take a photo of his plate myself until he changed it to what he quoted...I wanted to get to the hostel so signed. 

       Thank God they had everything in order plus late check out to 3pm ...good night and thanks to everyone that made this a fantastic adventure.

       I left the hostel around 2pm and caught the bus to the airport, cashed in most of my Wons for Dollars, checked in to United Air and was at the Gate just prior to boarding .  I had a sandwich with the last of my Won, boarded and sat next to a really intelligent 12 year old Korean girl bound for San Francisco.  We all survived the flight and no problem going through customs and immigration to claim my bag. 

        Now I had to recheck my bag with US Air.   I had to stand in another line to be told I needed  to go to US Air and recheck my bag.  TSA had a line a mile long just to tell us what we already knew.  To do that I had to walk about a mile.  I arrived at US Airways, which I have NO love for, and three reservationist and a line of Kiosks to get your boarding pass.  I got mine in Seoul.  I just needed to recheck my bag that already was tagged for Phoenix.  Two to the three attendants were at the VIP First Class and the other kept disappearing in the back then reappearing then disappearing with a line of irrate passengers at each Kiosk that had bags that needed checking.  I went to VIP and after about another half hour a brusque attendant grabbed my bag and said OK your set.  Not "Gate 21 " is down the hall on your left...so I went back and waited in line again to get directions.
         Then another security check in another long line with only two TSA agents.  Take your shoes off , belt, everything in your pockets, your jacket, camera, computer, OK....I'm barefoot and my pants are falling down while I'm holding my arms up waited for the machine to scan me and I remember...I forgot to pull out my toothpaste.  Guess it doesn't matter as I got through...Whew.  Then another 15 minutes to get dressed again and find my gate.  No country in the world makes you take your shoes off and the TSA admitted that rule should be changed...that was over 6 monthes ago.
          I'm trying to get a Global Entrance Pass so I don't ever have to go through all that.  I haven't got an copy of my Original Birth Certificate yet to complete the application.  I did notice that there were four Machines for people with Global Entrance Passes .  While standing in a mile long line...one of 8...I saw one person use the Machine...apparently they haven't got their copy of their Original Birth Certificate.  You can be President without your Original Birth Certificate but not get a Global Entrance Pass.  Well I'm here at SFO awaiting my flight with my most unfavorite, next to America West, Airlines...US Airways. 

    It boarded on time, arrived on time, I picked up my bag and was outside waiting for my friend to pick me up.  I told her Thursday @ 5:50 and there I was in 100% heat with my jacket, long sleeve shirt and jeans.  Only one problem ...it was Wednesday.  My itinerary said departing UA airlines in Seoul at 5:30 pm Wednesday the 19th and arriving on UA airlines in Phoenix @ 5:35 pm Wednesday the 19th. I had no phone to call and ask why she was late.  Must be at the other terminal. When I realized it was now 6:30 I called a cab and was to call her when I returned so she could stop driving around the terminals looking for me.
         I dropped off the suitcase and realized my phone was unplugged and uncharged.  I drove over to Briana's ordered a class of wine and got the waiter to lend me his cell phone.  I called both numbers and left a message.  It was 9pm when I gave up and left for home to discover a message ...today is Wednesday...not Thursday.   Welcome home david.

Back in Beijing ... Again

     I was looking forward to a hot shower, shave, and dinner with John.  Still had to pack...not a problem ...problem was how to handle the key.  I didn't want to have to leave at 8 am when John left but couldn't think of a way to give him back the key.  My departure wasn't until around 4:30 so maybe he could get home a bit early and I could sleep in while nursing myself back to health.  I am still sniveling and coughing. Welcome home...

        Well I made to the home subway stop and walked in around 6:30.  John was talking to his partner on Skype so that gave me a chance to shower, shave and sort out a little.  My flight doesn't depart Beijing until 7:40 pm so I don't have to be at the airport until 6pm...solves the key problem and frees me to see more of Beijing before leaving.  There is a park I have wanted to visit...and maybe John will let me use his computer again if I don't lock it up again.
         We went to a small Mom and Pop Southern Chinese food restaurant , had a beer and sampled 3 choices that were all good.  John treated and we returned home for NyQuil and early bedtime.
          I vaguely remember waking, taking a bathroom visit and another NyQuil.  I must have slept well as I woke just as John was leaving for work. He left a message that the maid would be coming after 9am and maybe it best for us both if I was gone.  He would be back at 4pm today to see me off.  I checked my email, finished my coffee and exited for the ATM across the street.
         I still had taxi fare to the airport and didn't want to take any Chinese Yuan with me so was trying to withdraw the minimum amount to get me through the day with snacks and kleenex.  The machine that I had used before only gave me one choice...balance.  I had about $150 left in cash but wasn't offered a withdrawal.  OK it isn't 9am and the back isn't open yet so I went to the 24 hour ATM next door that I had used before...invalid transaction!  Oh Oh..have the police checked the guards and found a strange forgiener was staying in the building then checked the cameras at the ATM's and saw a tall American withdrawing money...then  checked the time and the machine to determine the account...then put a stop on all withdrawals???...then...Now I'm getting more nervous.  I only have to be on that flight at 7:40 pm.  Maybe I should return, get my bags, leave a note and go to the airport now.   No the maid might be there as it is 9am now.  I have my transport card with money on it to use so I'll ride the subway until 4pm?  No...I'll go to the Park as planned.  I did but wasn't sure where the park was and didn't have the map. I did get off the right stop and the Lama Temple was there.  I found another ATM and it did not have a hold on my account so withdrew about $14, stopped for coffee then paid to get a ticket to the temple.

     
        The ticket was a mini CD with a recording on it and a bar code for admittance.  Can't wait to see what is on the CD. The temple was packed with bus loads of tourist and turned out to be one of the finest I'd visited.  It was where the Chinese Deli Lama was educated in Medicine, Arts, etc.  It was a huge complex and very beautiful with lots of visiting Monks making a pilgrimage to this holy place.  Many Buddhists offering incense and prayer in all the different shrines.  I spent about 2 hours and found out they take Visa so bought the cheapest Amulet of my birth year I could find.  It is to bring me good luck and health as well as keep me from smelling.  Worth $15.
      I left the temple very hungry.  This area was all souviener stores and junk shops intermixed with very high end jewelery, antiquities, and art work.  I stopped in a restaurant and ordered cabbage and white meat soup.  It was sour, hot and delicious...but very hard to get in my mouth with chop sticks and without burning my tounge.

      David strolled toward the subway.  It was now close to 1pm so he figured a nap was in order.  One store caught his attention with chanting coming from a speaker near the entrance of the shop.  A smiling middle age handsome oriental man came out smiling and greeted him.  David indicated he would be interested in purchasing the CD but was leaving tonight and would the man accept American dollars.  He did and David acually got a small discount.  The man spoke perfect English and wished me a safe trip.  He also said this music would bring me good health but refused to put that in writing with a guarentte money back if I should not get better.  David arrived at his home subway stop with 20 Yuan left in spending so splurged on a taxi for 10Yuan or $1.70.  Hereturned to the apartment to discover the maid had NOT been there yet.  No nap, no internet,..quick use the bathroom, grab the computer and get out before she arrives.
       Now he was at the ATM again.  The very same one that refused him that morning.  Was all his fears grounded NO...he got money!  The police aren't watching.  All that hiding your face from the subway cameras was in vain and you now have another $14 to spend.  
      To use up some time, David decided to stroll the neighborhood.  He went the opposite direction from his usual trip to the subway and ended up at a main street.  He turned left and discovered a Pharmacy that had Robitussin and  Mucilix to clear the congestion out of your lungs.  He bought some then visited the side street we ate at last night...all the way to the end.  Great neighbor hood....check out the bread baker on the left...awesome process for baking bread. School was letting out too.

 He went to the local coffee shop to type this journal.  Wow...this is up scale and $7 for a latte...oh well.  Now how long can I do this before they kick me out or my battery runs out?

       I have to say that none of this would have been possible without CouchSurfing and a generous host like John to enable it to happen as well as share his open, friendly, intelligent, personable, self. Thank you John and thank you CouchSurfing for making my travels to China so interesting.  This experience would never have been this fullfilling especially if I had stayed at the Five Star Beijing Hotel with Hillary Clinton.  My 4 nights in Pyongyang cost me $495 a night with a shared room.  Yes that included the breakfast buffet but not the 20 Euros for the Circus, 10Euros for Pizza, 150 Euros for the Mass Games, $30 for Tips, $30 for gifts...etc....was that worth it.  Yes but only because of the group we were with and the fact it was a once in a lifetime chance to see something that will someday hopefully never exist again.  One man controlling an entire race of people with intimedation, fear, and force.  The last Stalinist country in existence...Putin...will be history....and I believe...Kim Jun is next.  I have no real political views because I have no control.  I do have respect for those who do stand up againt tyranny and risks there lives to defend freedom and individual human rights of people everywhere.  So much for preaching. Amen.  So Be It! Time to get off the soap box and return to my room...I hope.
        I arrived as the maid was leaving .  She seemed startled not to see John and wanted reassurance that I would lock the door.  I showed her my key and she left.The guard at the gate with the "Neighborhood Watch" called someone on his cell as soon as I returned.  Perhaps I am getting paranoid but rather be one step ahead considering my departure is only 4 hours away.  I left a note for John and in my haste...my good pair of shoes.  My bags were packed and I bolted with the first cab and was at the airport by 4:30...through customs, immigration, and at my gate by 5pm.
          I read the local China Daily.  It seems our foreign diplomacy is not so diplomatic after all.  When the war ended China claimed those disputed Islands that were owned by a Japanese who recently sold them to Japan who now claims them.  Panetta, our Secretary of Defense  is now saying that the US will not take sides in this matter BUT they have a long standing Treaty with Japan that includes those disputed Islands???  Now it sounds to me and the Chinese that he and the US is talking out of two sides of their mouth.  Either you are not taking sides or you are siding with Japan?  Not a wise move.  Go home and let them settle the dispute and stay out of it regardless of the UN decision.
      Well I went to freshen up in the Men's room and the attendant fawned all over me.  First he put a large plastic bag out on the floor like a mat for me to place my bags on.  Then when I pulled out my toothbrush he grabbed the paste, broke open the plastic, took off the cap and broke the seal...then put the toothpaste on my brush.  Then when I took off my coat to wash up after brushing he laid out paper towels for me to put my coat on then turned on the water for me to wash.  When I finished he presented me with paper towels to dry off and helped me on with my jacket. Now that is service.  They won't take a tip either.

       I then  paid a ridiculious $5 for a Starbucks Grande Latte and inquired about a connection to charge my computer.  The attendant came out from around the counter and pulled a chair away from the wall for me to plug into the outlet.  I have found most all of the Chinese people to be very helpful and friendly...except the taxi drivers and when your in the subway.  They will elbow you out of  the way and take your seat before you can.  Other than that, they have all been friendly and helpful.
      I just read an Englishman's critique of the public restrooms.  His big thing was how clean and free they were. Wow.  If he thinks they are clean I don't want to visit London.  Yes they are free...what is the big deal about that.  McDonalds has been providing free clean bathrooms all over the world, not to mention, KFC, BurgerKing and Papa Johns.

        Every public bathroom I've been in was either dirty,without soap or  paper towels, or a hole in the floor and no toilet paper.  I seldom saw anyone wash their hands on the way out.  The airport and some public facilities as well as the 5 Star Beijing Hotel did provide those amenities but seldom.  The food overall was good but you had to know what you were ordering.  You could accidently order stir fry rice with Cicadas or something so hot you would never put out the fire for 2 days.  Some like that...not I.  I sure have to say despite my illness, this has been one of the outstanding trips of mine.  Thank you China and John for enabling this trip to happen. Now I will try to get the free Wi-Fi advertised in the airport to check my email.  To do that I have to find an Authorized station where they make a copy of my passport or verify that I'm not a spy...Later in Seoul...I hope.
   

Flu in Qu Fu ..Confucius's Hometown

      It was a bad night's sleep but if John could do the Wall, I could take an excursion to Qu Fu for two nights.  I felt safer leaving Beijing.  When I got back from North Korea, John didn't say anything, but the next morning as he was leaving he casually mentioned the police had come to his apartment and wanted to know if anyone was staying there.  He replied, not that I know of so they replied...we would like to search the place and they did.  I had taken everything including my computer after I found out it was OK for storing your pictures and keeping a journal while in North Korea.  There was NO Wi-Fi available in N. Korea.  China internet allowed me to check email but doesn't seem to allow me to view my blog, or any blogs, Facebook or Google Plus, so I can't post anything for friends or anyone to see.  I am  keeping a journal on MS Works and will transcribe it when I can and include photos.
     That day I kept wondering how they knew someone had been staying there.  I heard horror stories from CouchSurfers in Vietnam.  They would only be a day host as it required them to keep copies of the persons passport and a record of the stay.The Host had to report all this to the local police station and fill out more paperwork.  They also had to pay for a permit of over $1000 to register.  When you arrive in country there is a lot of signs stating that if you are a forgiener and NOT staying in a Hotel , B and B, or  Authorized Hostel, you MUST report to the police station withing 72 hours.  The poop is this:

Just in case they actually did come for you and take you to the PSB office late into the evening, it's 500 rmb per day after 72 hours you did not register with the local PSB. Not only for you, but a higher fine for any hotel or friend per day they let you stay without registering. They can hold you without reason for up to 30 days or more.

      

        I thought the guards or the local neighborhood Communist spy reported me coming in with the bags.   It is a GATED community.  Then I realized his internet connection is always flashing..searching for certificate.   Yet I am ON the internet but can't get on Facebook, blogs, or certain Google sites.  I did make a call to the USA on Skype more than once.   His computer does acknowledge and notify him that I am on his network but my connection didn't give me specific authorization.  I think the cyber police realized he had a guest with an unidentified computer on a network that only he paid the provider for...therefore he has a guest.

             I disabled my Wi-Fi so I can't connect anymore.  I use his computer for email contact.  We felt I hadn't been there more than 72 hours the first visit so I thought it best I take the trip I planned before the police returned to hassle and possible fine or detain me.  It might cause a delay that would cause me to miss my flight.   I got on his computer and booked a private room at the Qu Fu International Youth Hostel, showered and left to get some cash and a ticket on the train at the Beijing East train station.

               When I got off at the train station, it was chaotic.  I hadn't really researched the procedure for getting the ticket and everything was in Chinese Characters.  All I knew was I wanted to go to Qu Fu but no one recognized that.  Finally a policeman directed me inside at the far end of the station to the Ticket office.  There were over 50 stalls with lines and nothing with our Alphabet.  I went to information and she shooed me away...then as I was leaving she called me back and wrote 16 on a piece of paper.  I arrived at 16 to discover it was one of about 3 out of 50 that no ticket sales person was at.  I went to 15 and she motioned that the agent was at lunch.  Returning to information and the same lady, she  X'd out 16 and wrote 17.  I returned to a long line and waited until my turn came up.  I showed the ticket agent Qu Fu and she looked puzzled and went to 18 and asked the agent...he shook his head...then she went all down the line and returned and pulled up a screen that said Qu Fu Dong . 
     I couldn't ask any questions because it just got more confusing so nodded my head and paid $45. I showed my passport and she issued me a ticket, explaining the time was 2:05 departure...OK...then she pointed at the floor and shook her head...not here...Beijing Nan!  I was told the train left from here but she insisted Beijing Nan...or South Station.   
          This was East Station and I didn't even know whether the Qu Fu Dong was the city I wanted.  NO ONE SPOKE ENGLISH and no information booth for foreigners and no forgieners to ask.  Only one thing to do.  Take the train.  I checked the subway map and headed out. It arrived in the station within a huge American like Mall.  There was Papa Johns, KFC, and McD's.   I had a double cheeseburger for breakfast.  This gave me a chance to add this story to my blog, which I still can't post.  The hostel is supposed to have free Wi-Fi available...if I end up in the right Qu Fu.

     This is a massive station and well organized.  I'm glad I did get my ticket at the other station because they only have two agents here and the lines were 5 times as long.  I ended up with the high speed train.  It cost more but I will get to compare it with the one I took in France from Paris to the South.  The  station does have about 30 kiosks on two levels and also another 10 ticket agents on the second level. Still long lines.  The kiosks may all in Chinese characters but I'm not sure.
             The information desk did speak enough bare bones English to tell me which entrance (17) I was to be at 20 minutes in advance.  It was then I realized I had been running around with my fly down since I left John's house this morning.
       I boarded on time and was very impressed with such a nice clean modern train. They have a plug in for my computer and Wi-Fi available but I didn't use it. We took off and was up to 180 mph in no time.  Buffalo to NYC in two hours on this train.  Quicker than taking a plane if you count the ride from JFK to the city and the hour required to be at the airport. The train requires you to be there 30 minutes before departure to clear security and be in line before boarding.   

     I thought I'd spend my time taking pictures of the countryside.  I was told Beijing was so bad I would be better off getting out into the country away from the pollution.  When I left Beijing it had been clear and sunny for the last two days. When I got into the country it was so polluted I couldn't take pictures of the mountains or countryside.  

          On a related note. Chen Guangbiao, Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist, said he would sell canned fresh air to raise public awareness for protecting the environment. Possibly make some money at the same time?

         I noticed the man next to me started to cough and I didn't need to make my cold worse.  Then I started to cough with this tickle in my throat.  I realized it was the pollution.  The man said he was from Qu Fu and I was going to the right city.   He and I got out in Qu Fu and exchanged business cards then walked me to a Taxi and left.  I took a taxi to the front door of the hostel right in the center of everything.  I am in the room and still coughing.  I'm going to go out and try and get some tea and cough drops. I have a large sparse room with a large sparse bathroom on the second floor.  I get a strong internet connection but my computer won't connect to it.  This has been a problem 50% of the time.  I've resigned myself to not having a connection until I reach Phoenix.  

      I want to take some photos and wander around. When I returned to the lobby to request toilet paper, towels and a couple batteries for the remote the desk clerk wanted my passport again so she could get some copies of it and my Chinese Visa.  I went to the computer so I could get in touch with my email.  While there Hon Yung Fang came over and in good English, questioned my Visa.  This is not a Chinese one...it is Vietnamese.  I showed her the Chinese one, Cambodian, Laos, and Australian.  She thanked me and returned.  I later got my passport back and ventured out for some photos. 

          I noted a large golf cart for maybe 8-10 people that I thought was a bus into town.  I stopped an Aussie coming out of the hostel and asked...he replied he wasn't into that "tourist thing" and didn't know anything about them.  It did turn out they gave tours of Confucius Temple and the Cemetery.  I returned to get a bite to eat at the bar. 

       They issue you a cash card for 100 yuan...about $15 and you can buy drinks and food with it. I discovered Hon was the bartender.  She was from another province but graduated from the University here in Qu Fu...pronounced Shoo Fu...with a degree in Psychology.   She stayed and took a job here at the hostel to learn English and has done quite well.  She asked about me traveling alone and where I live , etc.  Just then Chris Stone came over and introduced himself.  He said he recognized an accent and was right...he was from Ohio...my neck of the woods.  He was in his late twenties and had been here 8 months taking Kung Fu lessons.  He was a Rock Climber and a Scuba Diver that traveled the world and felt he should do something on the ground for a change.  He enjoys Kung Fu and Qu Fu.  We had a bit of a chat and he was buying a few beers to bring to a friend as a house warming present.  The friend just got a new place near by so he excused himself. 
        I order some food I thought would be good.  Chicken accompanied by fresh vegetables.  I had some Gin and Tonics to wash it down with but the chicken was pressed crap and so I ate the vegetables and left the rest.  Alec came over to get a drink and also introduced himself.  He is from near Bern Switzerland and is also taking Kung Fu along with Chris.  They didn't know each other until he started and, turns out, he is a Scuba diver also.  His place is a dump and he doesn't like the pollution here.  Coming from Switzerland I can't blame him.  I am having a hard time of it myself.  Chris recommended I do take the cheesy tour tomorrow since I'm only here for the day and leave the following morning.  Everyone is very nice and friendly and I will enjoy my brief stay in Confucius Home Town. I bought some water to take to the room to watch the riots in Tunisia now and the UN special meeting to deal with this stupid movie that caused the death of one of our top diplomats, Chris Stevens not to mention the three other Americans of which I know nothing at this point.

       That evening my flu symtoms got worse.  I started coughing up bad stuff from my lungs and when I awoke it was off to a pharmacy for me.  Breafast of three different varieties of fresh grapes, grape tomatoes, orange slices, juice, cold lattee (with condensed milk) and 2 delisious banana pancakes made me feel better. 

         

           I ventured next door to see about the golf cart tour of the Temple and Cemetery but it was all Chinese and I didn't see anything that resembled an office nor did anyone speak English.  Earlier I viewed what looked like Americans take off on a golf cart with guides but not now.  A nice man on a sort of rickshaw but pulled the cart with a bike, came over and offered to take me around the city for $3.30.  How could I refuse. These guys have a backbreaking existence pedaling a bike around town while pulled one, two and sometimes three people all day everyday for next to nothing.  He was older too...usually only the young do this. 

            It was a quiet and relaxing ride through the back alleys, markets and on to the main boulevard.  He stopped at a small touristy type place and asked if I wanted to go in, he would wait.  It was $3.30 also so I did...the smell of incense permeated the building of statues of Chinese Men.  I really had no idea what the place was.  There was an alter of sorts, then trinkets to sell and I returned to my rickshaw.  I could have paid him to do this all day.  I was transported back in time with flashbacks of Vietnam in 1967. 

 He came to a large modern complex that was a garden and tribute to Confucius.  This I did want to visit ..now $6.60 and my driver joined me to point out points of interest.  It was like having my own tour guide.  We walked around, he jabbering in Chinese and pointing to things, me taking photos.  Twenty minutes later we were on the return trip back when  I remembered my medicine.  I had almost forgotten my illness.  He stopped at a pharmacy and the lady gave me three medicines...cough drops, capsules of antibiotics (I think ), and dark brown disks that tasted terrible.  I gave my driver the rest of my change when we returned for his assistance and decided to get some hot tea and take my Meds.  

        Earlier I inquired about the train schedule and my friendly desk clerk pulled up the schedule on the internent, I choose the 2:30 departure...not thinking that I might be sicker not better the next day.  I paid her and gave her an additional $2 so she could go to the train station on her break and pick me up the ticket.  I paid $7 for a one way taxi from the station when I arrived. She had the ticket waiting for me when I came in the hostel.  I took my Meds and went to my room where I started to get Chills and a Fever.  I was now getting the worse of it.  I napped a bit then returned to the restaurant and ordered a Pizza and hot water.  I could barely speak let alone function.  My new friend Fang from the night before came over and asked if she could help. I requested some hot water to take to the room and she got me a thermos full.  She asked about my Meds as the one she saw...antibiotics didn't seem like the right one to be taking for a cold.  I told her I had two more in the room and she was satisfied.
             I returned to the room but with only one English station repeating the same news over and over I just laid there wrapped in two comforters and shivering.  Finally the fever broke and I fell asleep and didn't wake until dawn.  I feel like I'm getting my strength back.  This is good.  I emailed John yesterday, concerned the police may have returned and to find out how his cold was.  He had hiked the Great Wall that day then Sunday went to the Gym and worked out.  He was doing well and wanted to know when I was returning.  He wanted to take me out for dinner when I got back.  Maybe he will be the one getting Take Out for me. 
          I just want to be on the plane in Seoul returning to the US.  I'm glad I did cancel my plans for another two weeks in China.  You never know.  I usually pack all Meds for problems like this and only had the cough drops I gave to Jerry.  I do believe he is the one that gave this to me.  There is always a high risk of getting sick when your touring with a group, flying on a plane, or jammed into a subway everyday, two or three times a day.  If I hadn't accepted the offer to bunk with Jerry and save  $300 in single supplement fees, I would have this problem...something to be said for traveling alone.
        Off for some breakfast and  to figure out what I am to do for the next 8 hours before my train leaves.  I played on the hostel computer trying to delete my personalized web site that came up as soon as I opened Google Chrome.  I deleted all the history but trying to figure out how to get rid of your email user name, etc when the computer switches to Chinese Characters when you have to make a decision....remember me/delete/accept/yes/no...I am on each one of the four computers in the hostel even though I only used one and only for email. 

        Well I can't worry about it so went to the room and watched more mindless state TV napping inbetween until check out time.  I settled the bill and went out to flag a taxi.  My rickshaw driver saw me and came over.  He offered to take me to the rail station for 15 Yuan...half the price.  I couldn't imagine him pedaling for over an hour for $3 but he did yesterday?  I had the time so agreed and was enjoying riding along taking photos worrying that maybe he was thinking of another station than the one I showed him.  He was...it was called the bus stop for the train station.  

       It was only 2 Yuan and another experience so I still made out with a little savings.  The bus driver does not give change so I paid double for the ride.  Still I had enough for the taxi to the airport the next day without having to take Yuan from an ATM just as I was leaving country.  I would leave Yuan free...I hope.  The bus ride went well and here I am an hour and a half before boarding. I should have packed some reading material. I'll read the tourist book about Qu Fu that I purchased.
                 There is something to be said for China's one child policy.  No rug rats yelling and screaming.  The children that are here are few, loved, and spoiled like I was as an only child. 20 minutes to boarding. Everywhere you go in the Orient you find Hot and Cold drinking water.  They use the hot to brew tea in their plastic sports bottles or to add to Ramen noodles for soup snack.  Here at the train station they have dispensers you have to pay one Yuan to use.  It still amazes me that this station is so modern and clean but no soap in the bathroom to wash your hands and still one crappy hand dryer that no one uses. Seldom do you see paper towels.

      We boarded the high speed train on time but this time I was in second class...a compartment with two bench seats facing each other and two bunks above to store baggage or in case of third class, for another 6 people.  There were 3 assigned seats on both sides face each other.  A man with a sporty flea market designer shirt that had an Airborne patch on with crossed swords on the arm, was in my seat.  He cheerfully reliquished it and offered and did put my carryon bag on  the bunk above me.  He than offered me a bottle of water which I thanked him for.  The girl across from me looked like Phuc , Leif's Vietnamese wife.  Leif was my friend from Denmark that met and married her in Vietnam before bringing her back to Denmark pregnant.  She was reading a Kindle book in Chinese, carried a back pack and chewed with her mouth open.  An attendant showed up requesting tickets then got into an arguement with the guy across from me.  It was heated and long but he didn't back down and just ignored the attendant so that it pissed her off more.  Eventually she left in disgust.  He had tatoos on his chest, military buzz cut , large gold ring with large gold necklace.  He was cocky but nice.  Next to him was a man who I believe was traveling with his young son and wife who were sitting on the other side of the man next to me. Second class is more personal than first class and I believe the people to be more friendly, sharing food and chatting together. 

MODERN TOILET ON WORLD'S FASTEST TRAIN