I've Met My Match

China is officially kicking my ass! It all started with my trip here. It took 3 train rides, 2 taxis, and 2 flights. I had to take one of the taxis because Naples decided to name the same train station two different names depending upon which kind of train you are taking. Therefore, I missed my stop and had to jump in a cab to go back one stop to make my next train within 20 minutes. Next I didn't sleep a wink on the plane and was exhausted when I arrived. I made the rookie mistake of deciding to take a few hour nap before hitting the city. My short snooze turned into a 31-hour sleepathon - I kid you not. I have no idea why I did and could sleep for that period of time. I did wake up in time for dinner and met Abby, one of my travelling companions. However, I was completely unable to sleep at all last night. I was a trooper though and got up at the crack of dawn to start exploring on my own. 

But today made me wish I had just laid in bed wide awake instead. I ventured out on the subway to the Lama Temple which I found didn't open until 9 am when I arrived at 7:45 am. So I waited, and waited and waited. I must admit this was the highlight of my day. It was beautiful and peaceful despite the mad rush of running people trying to get in line for tickets when the gates opened. Next I wanted to see the Drum and Bell Towers so I got in a cab, showed the driver where I wanted to go on a map in and in Chinese characters thanks to my Kindle and Lonely Planet guide. He nodded and off we went. And we went and went, until he finally stopped on some random road and shrugged his shoulders. Apparently, he had no idea how to get where I wanted to go in the first place and instead of telling me no, he drove me around for 20 minutes. Luckily he didn't expect to get paid and I was following the map so I thought we had passed the towers. I miraculously found someone who spoke English and she pointed me in the right direction and in about 10 minutes I was at my destination. Both towers involved a hike up several steep stairs which didn't help my mood at all. I did get to hear a nice drum performance in the Drum Tower but just got to see a huge, dusty old bell in the Bell Tower.

By this time, I was running on no sleep, had seen 3 sites, was getting hungry, was frustrated that I can't understand anyone and they can't understand me, had an awful cab ride and I was still miles from my hotel. I decided to give my next cab driver the 3rd degree about his ability to get me to my hotel before getting in the cab. Poor kid didn't deserve my scrutiny - he knew where he was going and could even speak a little English.

My plan was to eat lunch in the lobby cafe which featured a Western menu but just as the rest of my day went, it didn't happen that way. They aren't serving there anymore so I had to eat in the fancy dining room with a HUGE menu of stuff I can't bring myself to eat. I mean stuff with heads and tails and feet still attached. I finally settled on some fried potatoes dish which ended up being a 5-alarm fire in my mouth. I can't use chopsticks and they don't know what a Diet Coke is here. I have officially met my match in China.

I meet up with my tour group this evening so let's hope all the negativity fades away as I meet my new travel family for the next 21 days.