Monday 13 August 2007

The train from Hong Kong to Shanghai takes 24 hours. Traveling through the Chinese countryside and experiencing the way on which most Chinese travel long distance is fascinating. After a while, however, stimulation additional to seeing another farm, town, bicycle, or mountain is required. Other things to do on a Chinese train include:

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Make tea with the copious quantities of hot water available on tap.

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Slurp noodles.

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Develop rubber legs after drinking Maotai.

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Read Paul Theroux's "Riding The Iron Rooster"

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Playing mahjong.

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Tearing 12 year old son away from PSP to truly experience the journey.

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Tearing oneself away from listening to iPod.

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Apologising to fellow travellers for laughing too loudly at Russell Brand on my iPod.

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Trying to bridge the communication and cultural barriers.

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Realising that I've just ordered chicken feet and jellyfish for dinner.

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More Moutai please!