G'Day & a Big G'Day to you
Well, with my curiosity satisfied I was happy to continue on my journey.

Judy and I checked out, left our bags at the front desk and headed back into the happy streets of Baiyin in search of breakfast. We of course wanted Yangzhuo Friedrice. It took several stops and chats in family eateries until we found the prize...Rice! After breakfast we headed back to the central market place for 'just one more' pork filled pita type bread thingy.

Just one more said Judy!

Our return to Lanzhou took around forty five minutes. This time we got to see the arid lands from the other direction. Looked pretty much the same as the journey to Baiyin of course. We both wondered at the holes or caves in the desert hills.

Why so many?

Some would be for the farmers to rest and catch an afternoon Nana Nap, but the rest?

No idea at all.

We arrived back in busy Lanzhou joined the lines to purchase our tickets to Xi'an. We hoped for the following day but would be happy with anything in the near future. When we finally arrived at the ticket counter we asked for two tickets to Xi'an IN CHINESE and the horrid lady behind the counter looked at us and said 'Timboodong' (I don't understand). We said it again and performed a small game of charades with out fingers etc and she continually told us basically to 'Go F*&# ourselves' as she would only help and serve the Chinese. I politely told her to 'Go f*&# herself' as I left and we joined a second line.

Man, I added her to the list of 'China's Biggest Transport Bitches' right away!
She didn't top the cow in Xiangcheng but come a close second for her efforts!

When we finally arrived at the counter the lady behind helped us with a huge smile on her fact and we left with two hard sleeper tickets to Xian for the following morning.

ACCOMMODATION: We left the station and checked out a few hotels around train station area. Several for 120 to 160 Yuan with bathroom. Many with dorm beds for 30 to 40 Yuan with public bathroom. All of them could join the Australian Public Service fashion decor list from the 70's and 80's. Why stay in amongst the noise and the 80's browns for that amount when we could go back west to our happy little hotel and pay 68 Yuan. So we boarded Bus No: 1, grabbed some noodles when we arrived at the overpass and were greeted with a huge smile in the clean and friendly hotel we stayed in prior to leaving Lanzhou.

We even got the same room with leaking bathroom ceiling...Oh, how sweet!

INTERNATIONAL CALLS: We spent the evening once again walking the back streets and alley ways. I needed to call a friend back home and of course couldn't find international access anywhere. Once we had left the main streets and entered the maze of back streets we found a million of them. Up here in Lanzhuo you only need to locate a China Unicom sign next to an IP sign in the back streets and you are sure to have international access at the normal rate of 3.6 Yuan a minute.

After walking the streets for several hours into the evening all the while dodging the usual million man holes without covers we headed back to our happy little beer spot on the edge of the overpass out front of the big hotel. We were greeted with happy smiles and a couple of beers were brought to our table.

It's great to be recognised!

Breads Beers and Noodles to you...Shane