I leave Bundang on Wednesday January 12. We had to push it back 4 days because if I left on the Saturday (8th) as previously arranged the timing with the Lunar New Year holiday meant that I would come back to school (and Korea) for 2 days before having another 5 day break. The previous principal would most likely have just given me the extra 2 days off and bridged the 2 holidays - champion that he was - but the new principal has sadly not shown any signs of championness yet, and it's 3 months into her reign of terror. Sorry, did I say reign of terror? I meant to say tenure. I often confuse the two.
So - ferry from Incheon to Weihai, a small city on China's east coast, docking at 9 in the morning. I'm gonna reserve a plush cabin to myself as a reward for putting up with poor people for so long now.
I'll get the bus in the morning straight over to Qingdao. The 2 cities are only 3 hours away from each other. I would have gotten the ferry straight to Qingers but it doesn't run on Wednesday, only Thursday. I have worked my itinerary so that I spend maximum time outside of Korea. See?
Then I'll spend a night in Qingdao, famous for its beer, Tsingtao. Actually the beer was named after the city, and they're the same word, the first one having been translated through the internationally accepted pinyin system, and the second through the now outdated but fashionable (like the Atari) Wade-Giles system. Pinyin: Nanjing. Wade-Giles: Nanking. Pinyin: Beijing. W-G: Peking. Get it?
Then I'll head off via an early train down to Nanjing and spend a few days snooping around at historical stuff and staying at the Longmenjie Binguan, who according to Lonely Planet (which might as well say "you might as well consult the stars") don't speak English, so I've been cramming with Chinese lessons down at Charlie's cafe in the evenings. And for those of you who were also fortunate enough to grow up in the greatest town in the country, that ain't a take away joint serving hamburgers for 2 bucks 50, though if you sit down and pay him 8 dollars, he'll bring you one on a chopping board with skewers sticking out of it, served with some lettuce and drizzly stuff to make it look gourmet. Note to self: start research on the Loinly Planet Handbook ASAP. I'm starting to get cranky again.
Then a bus or train to Shangers, where I'll stay a few days. Can't wait to see the Bund and some of the other things from the days of colonisation. I'm also staying at a kick arse hostel on the Bund with a bar upstairs with views of the Huangpu River. As soon as I read "bar upstairs" I was sold!
Then the overnight train all the way to Xian. Trains are apparently pretty good in China. You can get a cheap sleeper, but if I really need to sleep it might be advisable to upgrade and go for the soft sleeper. The soft sleeper is usually just for party officials - and westerners who can afford it because they've been living on gimbap in Korea for the last 8 months. Happy days!
Xian - terracotta warriors and an affair with a French backpacker named Amelie. Gotta think positive readers ;)
Then I'll go to Datong - look it up on the map. It ain't the biggest of Chinese cities but it is gateway to the spectacular Yungang Caves. I'm gonna spend the day there readers. Just sitting and stuff. You know. Getting away. Slowing down.
One of the many photos of Yungang Caves on offer on google images. Check some of them out - they're lovely.
Then Beijing! Which kind defeats the purpose of decompressing in Yungang but there you go. i'll spend a week there because there's lots of things to do and stuff! You've probably heard of Beijing before.
Then I'll head north to Harbin. No I am not kidding. Yes it is cold up there. I can take it. The question is - is Harbin ready for me? Any takers? I didn't think so. Then I'll go to Shenyang for a night, then Dalian for a night and get a Sunday night flight home (courtesy of Expedia, bless 'em) and be back in Bundang ready for Monday morning classes!
Though I won't be ready - I'll be marking the days on my calendar until I can come home and start somewhere more promising!
Be nice.
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