United Day Eve

On Sunday we got up early to go to the Beijing train station to take a train to Taiyuan, where we would be united with Danny. 

The train station was huge, absolutely packed, and very hectic, and we got there with only 10 minutes to spare, so we had little time to take pictures.  We were in the first class car.  Again, we were the only Westerners in sight, so there was lots of pointing and staring at us.

The train was a high-speed train, our top speed was 189km/hr. 

We went through a smallish mountain range, and when I say that we went through it, we literally went THROUGH it.  One of the tunnels was 14km long.  The train trip was nice--we passed through lots of farm land, where farmers were weeding and tilling, all by hand.  

Near the end of our trip a gentleman came and sat by us, and kept staring at us.  Eventually he asked in English where we were from, and we told him.  He told us that his daughter is studying Chemistry at Oxford, and he was curious as to why we were going to Taiyuan, as there are no tourist destinations in Taiyuan.  Some Chinese are very sensitive to foreign adoptions, and naturally don't want to get the impression that China does not take care of its orphans, so we have been mum on the topic.  So I merely told him that we were meeting a friend who lives in Taiyuan, then deflected the topic to college and Chemistry.  The trip was nearly at an end, but he was pleasant enough, and offered to help us with our luggage, or with acquiring a porter.  We thanked him cheerfully and told him that our friend was meeting us at the station.  Our friend, who was our guide, Anna, actually came onto the train when it arrived and had two porters ready for us to get our luggage from the train to the waiting van.  In Taiyuan, we got a LOT of stares, pointing and smiles at Maddy.  One woman was brave enough to ask us in English where we were from, and when I replied, "America", she smiled and asked if this was our first time to China.  When I said yes it was, and that everything was so big, she smiled even more broadly and told me that she hoped that we enjoyed our stay.

 

We made it to the Continental Hotel in Taiyuan, or the "Continental Htoel" as their key cards say, which was truly stunning.  The foyer was one of the prettiest foyers I have ever seen, and the western-style dining room was very elegant.  We ate at the "Western-style" buffet that evening, although to be honest, most of the dishes were decidedly Chinese rather than western.  Still, the food was excellent and the wait staff was very attentive and friendly.  Most of them seemed to just enjoy watching Maddy, even though she was acting VERY seven years old!  During dinner, Maddy dropped one set of chop sticks, a fork, a knife, a plate full of cross-cut fries, and generally refused to eat anything other than fries and watermelon.  I started to lecture her, and even though the wait staff spoke no English, they clearly understood what was going on, for they were watching closely and trying to hide their smiles.  I think that a mother's exasperation with a child is probably a universal language.