We left for Da Tong in Shanxi Province on an 23:25pm train out of Beijing West. Every waiting room was packed with travelers heading home or migrant travelers heading out to seek their next job. As we waited to board, we took a seat across from this American looking couple. Funny how I wanted to sit near a white American couple. It was finally boarding time and everyone made a mad dash to the line, pushing, shoving, and crushing anything in their way to the ticket collector. I didn’t see the point in the rush since our seats were assigned. We “splurged” and purchase private compartments. It wasn’t really private since we had to share with 2 other folks. Private just mean a locking door.

Once the train started pulling out of Beijing, 2 ticket collectors came in to the compartment to do what they have to do. They said something to me in mandarin, to which I stared blankly. The guy at the bunk above karen screamed out “passport.” Passport? what the fuck? I showed them, they made some snarky–and I detected some envy–remark “oh, meiguoren, noo yauk.” Passed it back to me, closed the door and they were on their way. I had a good nights sleep. No one else was there to wake me up until we got to Da Tong. It was the cold coming in from the window that kept me from sleeping through the night. All in all, not bad a ride at all.

At around 7am, we arrived in Da Tong all groggy and ready to look for a taxi to the hotel. This dude from the CITS office pointed us out and said “CITS.” Must’ve been my hat hair that gave it away. We followed him and made arrangements to see the Hanging Monastery (above left) and the Buddhist Grottoes (above right). Got into a taxi, checked in at the hotel, washed up, downed some watery coffee, and headed back out to the CITS office at the train station. The dude recognized us and had us wait at the vestibule. Two Brits Simon and Matthew came out, and I let out a hello, they said hello, I asked if they’re on the CITS tour, they said yes. Now we’re on our way. Nice. It’s always a pleasure to meet other travelers who are friendly and share the same adventure spirit. Both are on their round the world trek and have been traveling together for a couple of months after meeting up in China.

We spent the whole day with them checking out the two sites, eating lunch, sharing laughs over some beer and chips, and deciphering the menu at a local noodle shop. We even thought about checking out this odd looking porno shop. It would’ve been great to have traveled on with them, but I’m sure we’ll see them whenever they hit New York. Or when we hit London or Leeds again.