Day one. Train ride to chengdu.

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You may ask yourself, what can a group of 8 students from Newton do on a 27hour train ride?

the answer is simple- eat, eat, and eat.

if only you were there, you would've known how painful it was.

the four girls, including myself got soft sleepers while the boys had hard sleepers, we were in an enclosed room, while they were out in the public.

We came up with a list of rules, that one should follow if planning on taking the train.

(oh and before i forget- I just happened to be the one who forgot her passport at my host family's house... go figure)

1. refrain from putting any parts of body into random nooks.
2. when going on a trip - remember your passport
3. hold in your desire to pee if only squat toilets are available.
4. try not to pay with 100 yuan when buying something for 10yuan or less.
5. once on the train, remember to look for hobo fires, people with flashlights and reflective vests carrying bricks, stars, and the moon.
6. beware of falling fruit.
7. if you want food you must scream "deng yi xia" at the woman with the cart.
8. pretend that you understand chinese.
9. have tons of hand sanitizer
10. bring lots of snacks (double stuffed oreos and peanut butter is a must)
11. have a mask/ spray to cover up the smoke and bathroom smell.
12. dance parties are always fun- you should have speakers and ipods.
13. enjoy "funnels" for as long as you can. (aka fake/fun funnels- depending on the tone)
14. have cards...
15. carry toilet paper/tissues at all times.

there isn't that much to say about the train ride- it was long, exhausting, and somewhat enjoyable in the beginning until you woke up the next day and still had 12hours until you would reach your destination.

check out the pictures- they pretty much sum everything up.

(and if you haven't realized- i just got internet on my computer and just came back from the trip yesterday- sooo there will be tons of posts, pictures, and videos added. )

love and miss you all- Michelle.

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Photos

In the Beginning
...when it was fun.

First meal
..fried rice anyone?

She was hungry...
can you really blame her? it was late (9pm-ish when we finally got food)

Squat toilet
the very first one that I have seen and used....

In the hallway!!
with too much time on our hands

Tony just woke up
don't judge.

We're pigs...
end of story.

Unless you can handle spicy
don't add the red package.

Maia's coat
..from Miwa...on Emily..