Day 7 of visit so time to make a journey by train to another city. Trouble with alarm clock, so just a quick wash in cold water before Zhe, Lao Ma, and Cui arrive 6:30am. Load cases onto minibus then drive to railway station through dark streets. People having breakfast on pavement tables outside cafes. Must queue at railway station, see a western woman in crowd. Zhe gets platform tickets then Sheng and I board train. Sheng asks men to move their parcels off our space on the luggage racks. Train soon gets very packed. Our train 'appears' to start, impression given as another train leaves station. Wave 'good-bye' to Zhe and family for second time as train eventually leaves the Guilin station. Have bottle of orange juice bought off trolley in train. Try sleeping. Twenty minutes stop at LiuZhou station. Sheng gets off train to buy a bag of roasted peanuts. Train journey continues and Sheng buys tickets for lunch. Many beautiful views seen through train window; Eucalyptus Groves, man watching over flock of ducks in pond. Much work with buffalo in rice paddy fields,
Early Arrival of Train at Destination; Leave Station By VIP Lobby.
*****
*****
Train arrives Nanning 3pm, earlier than expected. Met at railway station by two of Liu's friends, with car. Exit via VIP lobby then taken to hotel. Su, third of Liu's friends arrives. Plan schedule for 10am tomorrow until lunchtime. Arts and Crafts Center, Markets, Streets, then lunch. Su and friends leave, Sheng not too happy about schedule, had planned own program for Nanning. Sheng goes to send telex to family in Longzhou. Girl attendant knocks on door while Sheng away.... language problem...mystery !!!!! Switch off air conditioning, air feels cold. Sheng returns 6:30pm, been to bank to change sterling to Chinese yuan. At the bank he talked in English to a girl from Australia, now returning home, has been studying at the same university as Sheng. Sheng gets address and invitation to Australia, quite thrilled at the prospect.
Send Email.
