Sept. 26- Train to Xi'an

After morning classes we all rushed back to Tonghe to make our final preparations for the trip. Double checking and triple checking with haste we were finally ready to embark on our journey across China. We met downstairs at 4 pm to take a bus over to the Shanghai railroad station. The atmosphere was pure excitement and we couldn't wait to get started. Our train left Shanghai at 5 pm and we had soft sleepers for the first train ride. They were compartments with four beds in each room, two on each side like bunk beds. I was on the top and Selina was underneath me and we shared the compartment with Trish and Jess. Everyone walked around for several hours peeking in and out of others rooms. I played a game of hearts with three of the boys and definitely got stuck with the queen of spades more times than anyone else but it was a good way to pass the time.

We wanted to eat dinner but the dining car was full as soon the train began to move and when we went later it was closed so we all had very unhealthy snacks for dinner. For example, my dinner consisted of peanuts, ritz crackers, and Chinese Whoppers... very well balanced wouldn't you say? The most interesting thing about that train ride was a Chinese man being led around in hard-core chains around each car. Two police officers walked behing him and his chains were really thick around his hands and there was a chain leading down and around his feet. It's safe to say it freaked us out just a bit. They turned the lights off outside the cars at 10:30 so we all retreated to our bunks for some sleep. The train was due to arrive in Xi'an at 2:30 pm so we had plenty of time to sleep. It was my first 20 hour train ride!!!