Up and to the train, got a taxi for ¥10 which was a complete result as I normally get ripped off! So I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself when I get to the station. Grabbed some food this time, so I am not as unprepared as I have been in the past. Only a wee 9 hour train, so easy peasy!
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It's not long after we set off that a Chinese guy comes over to speak to me. First time this has happened on a train. Normally people are too scared to speak, but this guy wants to talk a little English. We chat about the usual stuff, where do I come from, how long do I travel, where have I been, where do I go. Better than having no conversation. I think because one guy speaks to me it gives those around some confidence. So I end up talking to about 4 different Chinese people, it's good Craic and makes the time pass quickly. I snooze for a couple of hours before I arrive at Nanning.
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When I get off the train it is hot! Haven't felt this heat in a while, the past few weeks have been cool, back to the oven! I instantly have my sweat on! One of the guys helps me to find my hostel and I end up getting on a bus for a couple of stops before getting off and on to a busy street. Next it's down a long and busy pedestrian street, with all my gear, feeling fresh. I'm getting quite a bit of attention as I plod along. I'm not sure if I'm going in the right direction, but as I get to the end of the street a Chinese guy calls over to me in English asking if I need any help. I show him the address and he tells me it's on the next street, and after a short walk I am there.
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The hostel is on the third floor and I walk in to a nice open area complete with pool table, my favourite. Elaine is the staff member working and she is super helpful, I ask about my Vietnam visa an she tells me the prices and options. I raise my concerns about the end of my Chinese visa and whether I can leave on the 30th day, she says it's not a problem so I have enough time to wait the standard 3 days for the visa processing. Elaine shows me to my room and I leave in my stuff. One guy in the room, the bed above me, a westerner. I say hi and receive a grunt in response, I notice that he has the largest suitcase that I have ever seen. I ask him how does he cope with that while travelling, he looks at me, doesn't answer and then puts his earphones in, nice friendly guy. I go back out to the common room after a shower and tell Elaine about my friendly room mate, she tells me that there was a girl who was put in the same room just before me, and the first thing Mr Friendly said to her was to shut up because she had music playing. She came straight out of the room and asked to change. Elaine points her out in the common room and I go over to chat to her. Yolanda, 26 English teacher from Shanghai, she is just back from Vietnam.
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We go out for something to eat as I haven't had any dinner. Just down the road from the hostel and there is a food street, the usual market stalls selling the BBQ, stinky tofu, bits of animals normal people don't eat, snails, fish and a whole plethora of interesting and strange delights. We get some noodles first of all and then take a walk around the stalls. Feeling pretty full we don't get anything else except some mango tea with jelly balls. Tasted more like a smoothie than tea. I am in need of a bank so we go for a wander, through some market streets, I don't think I have ever seen so many purses and wallets in my life, literally everywhere. With this being the last day on national week the place is packed. Yolanda tells me that as we are walking people are talking about me, great to know. Get to a bank and top up my funds. Back to the hostel for some beer and pool. Elaine joins in and it's good Craic. Yolanda gets hungry later on so it's back out to the market. Couple of beers and some BBQ! Delicious! It's not long before some locals come over to our table as they want to talk to me. Of course they don't speak any English but just tell Yolanda what they want to say. It's not long before I am being encouraged in to a drinking game, Yolanda puts a stop to it and the guys go back to their table. By the time we get back to the hostel it's pretty late so straight to bed. Yolanda is away tomorrow so she says she will be waking me for breakfast. Ohhhh goodie!