Which would have been much more frustrating, coming close to impossible, if Peter had not helped me. I went with him to go buy my tickets to Qingdao for the vacation. Apparently there are no direct trains on Monday, which is the day I wanted to leave, but there was one for Sunday night. It would have cost 300 yuan ($50) one way, meaning a round trip would have been about 600 yuan. Way too much for me. But also, on Sunday, there is the concert in Jining, and I do not know what time we would be returning from that, so Sunday was out. As it turns out, there was a train to Jinan, that would then go on to Qingdao. According to Peter, I just have to tell the conductor (or rather show him/her a piece of paper that Peter will write) that explains Makenzi and I would like to continue to Qingdao and pay for the extra trip. Although I understand the process, I really don't get it. But that is China for you. I just really hope Makenzi and I do not take someone else's seats for the second part of the journey and then have to panic about trying to explain our presence. I think that will be an experience all by itself. In total, my tickets cost 240 yuan, but that does not include the trip from Jinan to Qingdao, which I think will be about 200. So, I spent a little more than I wanted on tickets, but I figured eating ramen and mantou for the rest of the month will be a worthwhile compromise for a trip to "the beautiful, seaside city of Qingdao," according to my students.
I do have many students from Qingdao and many are returning home for the week. They all volunteered to help us if we need, so I will be carrying around their numbers, just in case something happens and we need a translator.
I feel a little guilty that I got upset with Peter at the ticket store, since he was only trying to help and to get the best tickets for me. But language barriers and my slow process of learning the Chinese language got the better of me earlier. I just felt so helpless and confused since I could nothing but stand there and wait for Peter and the ticket lady to finish talking and for him to translate whatever she said. I did apologize, so at least that was a start to make up for my actions.
I am very excited to travel outside of Qufu and to see the coast. From what the guys said, no one actually swims in the water, but maybe I will take my swimsuit and just wade in the water a little. If I come back with superhuman legs, then I will know to not swim in Chinese waters again...
I do have many students from Qingdao and many are returning home for the week. They all volunteered to help us if we need, so I will be carrying around their numbers, just in case something happens and we need a translator.
I feel a little guilty that I got upset with Peter at the ticket store, since he was only trying to help and to get the best tickets for me. But language barriers and my slow process of learning the Chinese language got the better of me earlier. I just felt so helpless and confused since I could nothing but stand there and wait for Peter and the ticket lady to finish talking and for him to translate whatever she said. I did apologize, so at least that was a start to make up for my actions.
I am very excited to travel outside of Qufu and to see the coast. From what the guys said, no one actually swims in the water, but maybe I will take my swimsuit and just wade in the water a little. If I come back with superhuman legs, then I will know to not swim in Chinese waters again...
Train ticket store front.