The Orient Express

What Up folks. I'm sitting in Xi'an, China amongst plumes of cigerette smoke. It's ridiculous, people smoke everywhere here. No joke...everywhere. It's been an interesting trip so far. Pretty much everything I planned has not gone as planned. My traveler's cheques got denied. I guess my signature didn't match. Sure pal. I was gonna get a train outta Yantai but ended up flying because I wasn't gonna sit on a hard ass wooden bench for 24 hours. Yesterday I flew from Yantai to Shanghai and then had to transfer to another airport to get my flight Xi'an. I was fortunent enough to go through the heart of Shanghai. It was absolutely amazing. When people talk about China as the next superpower they must have been to Shanghai. Ever building sparkles as though it's made of diamonds. At one point I counted 13 building cranes and I was only looking straight. The contrasts are so different here though. 25 cent 22oz beers are sold next to giant Louis Voutton stores. Street vendor's haggle, plead, beg, for the bill's that communist comrade Chairman Mao's round mug frequents. Communism only exists in the name itself. The Canadians have more social welfare.
The language is much different than Korean. I'm completely lost, well, almost. I've had ample time so I've taught myself some greetings, the numbers, and a few sayings like "how much is it" and "where is the bathroom." Also I know my liquids: water, beer, and tea. The writing is way out of my league. I ain't even gonna attempt it.
My next stop will be Chengdu. It's in the foothills east of the Tibetan Plateau. I'll probably head outta here Tuesday. Tomorrow I'm heading out to the Terracotta warriors. Google them. I gotta get outta this smoke stained wire lined room. From the Orient with love.
Tye