Day Fifteen - Jun 10, 2013
Trans-Mongolian Train to Beijing, China
Daily Didactic
The day started at 7:00, per our 7:00 to 7:30 breakfast ticket. We made our way to the sort of sad Chinese dining car and found ourselves seated with strangers and having two pieces of white bread and two hard boiled eggs. In fairness, there was cold jam and butter, but it was hard to spread with chopsticks. The remainder of the morning was spent watching the Chinese countryside, which was really beautiful, and slowly packing for our exit in Beijing. We also had tickets for lunch and, while it was not spectacular or with any options, we managed to sit with Karen and Omar which was very enjoyable. After lunch we finished packing and hung out in the corridor, watching rural China turn into industrial China. The first most striking thing is the contrast between poor traditional dwellings and (not blocks away) hundreds of recently built hi-rise apartments. The second is the deterioration of the air. We had heard about the pollution, but it is truly something to behold. By the time we got to the train station we could feel it in our throats and eyes. Saying goodbye to our train companions at the station we were met by Nick, who with Cindy is our host in the Dongsi Hutong. A hutong is an alley residence in old Beijing and is kind of an oasis amongst the density. Nick is Greek, smart and funny. Cindy, his wife who grew up in the house, is Chinese, smart and funny. They are wonderful hosts. We have a room off a courtyard, which is pretty awesome. After getting comfortable, we ventured out for some authentic Peking duck in old Peking. We are in China. Crazy.
Today's Photos
