Kunming

My back hurts from sleeping so much. There's nothing else to do on a 25 hour train journey except read. The views out of the window were quite interesting. Paddy fields existed anywhere that was physically possible. It looked like rocks had fallen from the sky. Their determination to farm on such hostile land was admirable. I guess they just have to make the most of what they have.

I arrived in Kunming and and my first impressions where quite unexpected. The city was clean, orderly and not polluted! This I liked, but what upset me was the fact that the city has two train stations. The map that I had drawn to help me get to the hostel was from a train station. Which one? I was lost. I needed help. A boy walked up to me and tried to sell me fake watches. I said "no" for the 4th time and then decided to ask for his help. I was shocked at his response. He said "f**k your mother" with a big smile on his face. I couldn't quite believe what he had said and so I asked him to repeat. "F**k you father" he said. I was outraged. He showed no remorse. I wondered if he actually knew what he was saying. I responded wisely and told him that he really shouldn't be saying things like that. "F**k you mother" he repeated again. I walked away from him and eventually found the hostel I was looking for. I confirmed Ali's arrival at reception and then met her shortly after. We talked about our experiences before having dinner with the missionaries. It was a very interesting evening to say the least.