Hey Hey and a Big G'Day toya,
 
Isn't it totally ridiculous that after doing something stupid you can take comfort in it!
 
I mean, I've been here for three and a half years and I know that I have changed in many ways.
But isn't it crazy that when I found out I did something stoopid (again!) I found myself clutching at it.
Why? Finding comfort in the fact that I really am still me!
 
There really is still and hopefully always will be a part of me inside that will always do something stoopid enough to make those around me wonder how the hell I got this far. But the fact is, I have got this far and part of that fact is the fact that I do stoopid things that help change my future pathways for the better.
 
So Wednesday found me up much earlier than normal and in line at the train station with Li Ping (Joyce). It was time to finally put an end date to the Fujian Beers N Noodles Adventure and to step into the future and find the date of the new Shaanxi Beers N Noodles Adventure which would begin with this years Summer Beers N Noodles Adventure.
 
Confused?
Don't worry, so am I!
 
I arrived at the station 100% sure that I would be in a Hard Seat the entire twenty five to thirty hour journey from Shaowu to Xi'an just like the Crazy Northern Train Girl (Luo Wei) has done several times before me. As we slowly made our way forward in line Joyce could hear that sadly for me there were no Sleepers available in the next few days.
 
Time was passing and also sadly for me the window would close soon...very very soon!
Here in Shaowu the 'Sleeper' window is only open in the morning and only for a short time!
So, I guess if it was to be a twenty five to thirty hour journey in a hard seat, bring it on!
 
BUT....Just as we approached the window they began selling sleepers for the 6th July.
You bloody beauty! I yelled as I jumped up and down like a crazy and excited child.
Poor Joyce tried to calm me down like an embarrassed mother in line at the supermarket!
 
July the 6th, the last day here in my beautiful little Fujian mountain city of Shaowu. I guess to make it easier on everyone around me I probably should have looked at what day July the 6th actually was. Because I didn't over the past several days I've been having lunches and dinners and dropping into as many places as possible to say good bye and telling everyone I was leaving on Saturday.
 
Frank the Buckland's representative was even going to meet me at the Xian Station on Sunday.
Yesterday I packed and packed and pretty much readied my self for my last day in Shaowu.
Being what I thought was today (Friday).
 
I even went out for my last meal with Paris and Malina which also was a celebration dinner as they will both head to Chengdu Uni next term. I walked around the streets saying my good byes as I was leaving early Saturday morning and yes, to all those who offered, yes of course you can come say good bye. It wasn't until I asked Joyce out for our 'Last Lunch' together (being today's lunch) that I found out I had been wrong all week.
 
She replied with a confused question as to why it was our last lunch.
 
ME
Hello!
Is there anyone home!
I'm leaving Shaowu remember and leaving on Saturday!
 
JOYCE
Hello! Hello!
Are you stupid!
Saturday is the 5th of July and Sunday is the 6th of July.
If you want, go to the station on Saturday but you won't be getting on the train!
 
It reminded me of the movie The Mummy
Hello, it looks like we've got all the horses!
Hello, it looks to me like you're on the wrong side of the river!
 
HHHhhhhhmmmmm!
Bugger! Bugger! Double Bloody Bugger!
So who were all those people that wanted to come say good bye?
Well, aren't I going to be the bloody popular one come Saturday 6am!
I think I'll stay indoors all day Saturday and maybe dial a pizza and some beer!
 
Shut up!
I know I live in China and that there is no home delivery 'anything' and I WILL have to go outside.
 
Just to let you know, it's not the first time and thankfully it won't be the last time I actually or almost arrive at a plane/train/bus station on the wrong day. But in my favour, I am always half right. You see my problem is I get either the date or the day correct, but sadly it is only correct to me. For it to be actually correct they would both have to be correct and my problem is getting them both correct. For this to happen I would have to actually look at a calendar. Or I could use my fingers and count the actual days from date of purchase to departure date. But for some reason I simply take the date and throw in a roundabout day that I would like to leave.
 
And this is why I have so much fun travelling by myself.
 
Repeated thoughts from past, present and future travels
 
I can tell myself I will stay two days and leave on Thursday. That usually means that days pass and as it is holidays any given day is a Thursday and I can always buy another ticket as the one I purchased the other day is no longer valid as the man at the plane/train/bus station told me so with a very confused look this very morning!
 
Or on the flip side, my flip side.
 
The ticket I purchased the other day is not actually valid until the date and day it says on the ticket. I also know this as the man at the plane/train/bus station told me so with a very confused look this very morning! Bugger, I'll come back tomorrow!
 
Days and dates mate.
I guess sometimes it helps to get them both correct.....both at once that is!
Is that what the people who have plans and already have the pages marked actually do?
 
So I was thinking, maybe I'll get a job working at a Flight company whenever I head back to Australia!
Can you imagine how it would work out.....here are my thoughts.
 
Ring Ring.....ok, so when would you like to go?
Tuesday!
Ok, Tuesday it is...how about a Tuesday in 2012?
What?
Well that will give you plenty of time to see the country you are leaving.
I'm sure there is plenty you haven't seen.
No...ok then. What year?
This year you idiot!
Oh, Tuesday this year. How about a Tuesday in December?
Oh, not good for you huh?
We want to go next Tuesday you fool! Is there anyone else I can speak to?
Of course, you can speak to anyone you wish. 
Simply open your door and walk outside and say hello. They won't bite you. Don't be scared.
So which next Tuesday? We have plenty of next Tuesdays ahead of us.
Hello? Hello? Are you there? Hello?
 
So I can actually tell you (after using the calendar to make sure Joyce was correct! Shhh, no body tell her cause she'll beat and kick me to the ends of the earth!) that the Fujian Beers N Noodles Adventure does actually end at 5:30am on Sunday the 6th July 2008. My Shaanxi and Summer Beers N Noodles Adventures both begin anywhere between 6am and 8am on Monday the 7th July 2008 whenever the train decides to I arrive at Xi'an Station.
 
What is the first thing I will do when I arrive in Xi'an?
The same thing I always do, make my way to the Bell Tower Mc Donalds!
This time last year I was found sitting in the very same Bell Tower Mc Donalds!
And I do believe it was six or so months prior to that I was found in the very same Mc Donalds!
 
Why do I do such a thing?
Hello Hello, it is called the Bell Tower Mc Donalds for a reason!
Where else in the world can you sit eating a plastic burger and look out upon a Bell Tower!
 
PS: So as randomly stupid as I can be I can also be a creature of habit.
PSS: Hey maybe those that turn up to say good bye this coming Saturday will forgive me.
Why? By thinking they got it wrong and turn up again the following Saturday to say goodbye.
PSSS: Yes, for those who have noticed, Paris is wearing a Ramones tee-short. Just like the rest of the workd, she loves the Ramones. The beauty on her right is Ching Ching. For those who follow my blog and have read my entries on my Weeks Dinners she is Ching Ching from Ching Chings Eatery. Just look at her, she is as delicious as the food she serves! The girl to Paris's left is Malina as in Malina from Malina's Eatery. 
PSSSS: Who is getting a hair cut. That is Li Ping (Joyce). We went for a hair cut and massage that lasted around an hour and a half. How much? About four Aussie bux! How much in Australia would is cost? Probably one hundred and fifty to two hundred bux!
PSSSSS: And yes, I am sitting here with an ice cold Stout Beer in hand and several more in the freezer!
PSSSSSS: So, for all those who wish to travel with me this summer give me an email.
Hey don't cringe, you'll get there in the end I promise! Come back. Don't go! I'm not that bad to travel with. You'll get to see many places both you and I never even thought about. Look at that character on the bus station board. Isn't it nice, let's go there! Hey, come back. Don't go! I'm sure it will be an interesting village/town/city to visit. We'll go Tuesday hey. What year? You choose!
PSSSSSSS: To Yan and Crew. There really isn't much to say, yet there is so much to say. Sadly it would be a waste of all of our time if I even try. You have all made my time here in China to most memorable time so far. Your friendships are beyond words. Never forgotten and I'm sure Luo Wei will kick my butt here to visit everyone. Just as you love both of us, we both love all of you!  You are beautiful, every one of you!

PSSSSSSSS: Wiring? What wiring? I can't see any wiring! What are you talking about! OOPS, sorry mind your head. That is someones clothes lline you nearly walked into. It's not a clothes line? Oh, I must have live in China for too long then!

PSSSSSSSSS: Happily for Luo Wei and I we will hopefully fall into each others arms next Monday.
Why else is next Monday special? It is Luo Wei's Birthday. Happy Birthday to my sweet Luo Wei!
 
The Final Beers N Noodles toya from Shaowu City, Fujian Province.....shane
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The soundtrack to this entry was for my beautiful happy friend Paris....The Ramones!
The album was the totally awesome 'Ramones Mania'
I guess I gotta break the news!
That I got no mind to lose!
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