Outside

I made it out, if at least temporarily. Took the 6:30 train to Tianjin. This definitely isn't Beijing. Asking a security guard for directions downtown, I turn around to see literally 20 Chinese men just sitting there...looking...staring. Novelty, even in this city. It's not like I'm in some remote village. This place has skyscrapers (that's the only criterion for a city, right?).

Ate dinner for less than a dollar, walked around, met some local kids who helped me out, found a hostel, went to a bar, spent some time writing. However, writing was interrupted when I met someone from SE D.C. and his friend from a farm in Australia. Quite the combo. Spent the next few hours together, where the Aussie made a very compelling and logical case for me to switch around my plans for the New Years holiday. I'm spending it in Sydney, but hostel requirements made me book for 9 nights in Sydney. I know realize that is completely idiotic. What could I accomplish with nine days in Australia? I could guarantee that it is a lot more than sitting around Sydney and it's suburbs.

I'm going to cancel the hostel. I've already made a few friends in Sydney...I'll find a bed for a night or two. With nine days there is a lot that I could do aside from watching the fireworks over the Harbour Bridge.

Time for Tianjin. On the train to Ulaanbaatar tomorrow. Won't have time to post/communicate. Therefore, Morgan, my brother, I wish you the happiest of 20th birthdays. I probably spent mine at some house party on Euclid. You get to spend yours making your last minute lists, prepping your first minute French pickup lines, and mentally gearing up for a year where the President marries a supermodel and crepes are still not be as good as Grandpa's. À bientôt mon frère.