Peking-Hankow Express

[Mr. Handy]

Chinese,[color=violet]"My husband made the arrangements,"[/color] says [b]Elisabeth[/b], [color=violet]"and I'm not familiar with Chengchow, so I'm not certain, but you're probably right. "[/color]

[Tabs]

Elisabeth,"You would be most welcome to stay at the compound of the Swastika Society. If you have time, please visit us."

The locomotive slows as it enters a village. "Footh," says the Society man as he mimes eating off of a plate.

[Mr. Handy]

"Oh, perhaps we can get some food on the platform," says Elisabeth to Caroline. "Shall we go see what's on offer?"

[Tabs]

Mingzhu pops her head round the compartment's door. "Elisabeth, Caroline, we can buy things to eat!"

The locomotive stops beside a platform with a small crowd of hawkers, selling melons, chestnuts, etc. in wicker bowls and pottery dishes: it's a mini market. The second and third class carriages disgorge many peasants and soon the platform is a milling crowd of people.

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you," says Elisabeth to the man from the Swastika Society. She rises and joins Mingzhu, motioning for Caroline to join them. "Yes, let's go while there's time. The train might not stay here long."

[DrPeterson]

"Excellent! Let's stretch our legs a bit!"

Caroline gets up and shoulders her pack, joining the other women.

[Tabs]

"I haven't got a thing besides this dress," laughs Mingzhu. She adds: "Do you mind, Elisabeth, being banker?"

There are many fruits: melon, kiwi, jackfruit, kumquat, lychee, Goji berries--presumably most have come from South China; nuts: water chestnut, peanut, almond; newspapers.

[Mr. Handy]

"Of course, Mingzhu," says Elisabeth. She makes her way through the market, purchasing a variety of fruits and nuts, as well as the latest newspaper - in English if one is available, or in Chinese if not.

[DrPeterson]

Caroline purchases some fruit and nuts too, especially a nice melon and some goji berries.


I just love the bustle of these impromptu markets, don't you?

[Mr. Handy]

"Oh, yes!" says Elisabeth. "And I do so enjoy haggling. There's so little opportunity to do it back home." Even here, it is a little difficult to get the vendors to come down on their prices.

[Tabs]

The newspaper has only has a few sheets printed in Chinese characters.



Caroline, head and shoulders taller than everyone else, looks down upon a sea of black haired heads, bobbing as they eat and talk. There is one exception, on the other side of the mini market she sees Santiago.

The farmer insists the packet of almonds are 5 yuan, he wags a finger at Elisabeth when she offers 4 yuan. Mingzhu nudges Elisabeth and commiserates: "Your Western face is like a huge silver dollar to the farmer!"

[DrPeterson]

Caroline turns around, her hair gracefully cascading as she purposely ignores Santiago but makes sure he knows he's being ignored and curses and swears her way in pidgin mandarin through the crowd to buy some more nuts.

[Mr. Handy]

Elisabeth reluctantly shells out the five yuan. "I suppose that's the disadvantage of being a Westerner," she replies to Mingzhu. "I'll need to get more spending money from my husband when next I see him."

[Tabs]

DrPeterson,I copied Caroline's previous post for aine, Santiago noted that he was ignored.

Deng, the conductor, shouts: "Suǒyǒu dēng jī!" and waves a flag.

[DrPeterson]

Tabs,Haha! Cheers :)

Caroline boards the train and returns to her seat. She takes out her pocket knife and starts cutting open a jack fruit.

[Mr. Handy]

Elisabeth collects her purchases and hurries to board the train.

[Tabs]

Aboard the locomotive, in the compartment, are Elisabeth, Caroline and Mingzhu who watches the village slide past the window as the locomotive gathers speed. "How much longer to Chengchow, I wonder?" yawns Mingzhu.

[Mr. Handy]

"Oh, I don't know," says Elisabeth, "but I'd expect it to take hours. If you want to take a nap, feel free.'

[DrPeterson]

Caroline picks the pips from the jackfruit with her knife and brings them to her mouth on the tip of the blade.

The landscape won't start getting interesting until we're almost there, Mingzhu. You'll feel the altitude in your ears before you'll see it through the window.

[Tabs]

"I am glad to hear it!" replies Mingzhu; "the landscape is so . . . so monotonous. I confess that I have never ventured further than the suburbs of Peking--although one summer we went to Macau by steamship. Caroline, I bet you have had many exciting adventures?"