Train K41 from Beijing to Xi’an

Our train was set to leave Beijing West Train Station at 6pm. This station is not easy to find on foot, there is no direct subway, but looking at the map the nearest subway is the Military Museum and the route to the station is through side streets. So we opted to take a taxi, off the meter of course as it should only cost £1 on the meter, but the taxi drivers know you need a taxi so they all charge you £2 to get to the station. Oh well this is our only option so we took it. The station is crowded full of chinese people trying to get to places and you have to pass through an airport type security. I think this is just to slow the crowd of people from getting in to the station too quickly it certainly is not much of a security check. Our train was to leave from platform 3, so quickly Jody bought some drinks for the journey, and we headed for the platform 1, yes they had changed the platform. Our ticket had reserved seats, I should hope so it is an 18 hour journey over night. We got on carriage 4 and the train was packed. Five seats across and full, I mean full of chinese people, everywhere. Jody headed for our seats and then Bryan followed with the heavy suitcases. How he managed to get the big suit cases down the train was a miracle, and to get them stored above the seats was, well just amazing. The seats are small, upright and very uncomfortable. How we are meant to sleep tonight we don’t know. Three hours in to the journey and our bums are so sore. Every now and again the staff or conductors on the train go down the train selling different good from food, drinks to 3d pictures and even give math lessons on long multiplication, of course once the show has finished she has a book to sell telling you more about it. Our train is due to arrive in to Xi’an at 11:53 tomorrow, roll on tomorrow afternoon.