How Low? I Guess it's Time To Go

So yeah the day sucked. 

I said goodbye to Kathryn early in the morning, to say I was sad to see her go was an understatement.It was only 630am so I went back to bed for a while before meeting Laura for breakfast. After breakfast I accompanied Laura to the metro station, then she too was gone, leaving me alone. 

I headed back to the hostel and began chasing up leads as to the location of my phone and wallet. It was a long shot but worth a try, sadly nothing had been handed in. 

Now my flight was at 1720 so I had a mere 4/5 hours to burn, joy. I sat in the bar and took advantage of the free wifi! I even skyped Alex who had just got back from Xi'an, she had a whale of a time. I made my way to the metro station with my bag and got on a tube. 

Now the metro was an experience because it broke down for half an hour! I was now cutting it incredibly close... When it started it was going the wrong way! Today was not going well. Eventually I made it to the airport, I had to run towards the check in desk and plead with them to let me check in. I am pretty sure if I was Chinese they would have refused but seeing an out of breath, desperate white man they decided to let me! Thank goodness! I couldn't check in my luggage though so I went through security, strangely they didn't care about any of my liquids but my kite was seen as a dangerous weapon... So kiteless I made my way into the departure lounge, only to hear 'LAST CALL FOR XINING'. Naturally I was the other end of the airport so I ran the length of the airport (about a mile I swear) and arrived panting. I got on just as they were about to close the door. I got to my seat and collapsed (much to the amusement of the monks sat opposite me). I had made it. Just. 

The plane ride was good, they showed 'The Life of Pi' which was amazing! The food was good and the view of Xining at night was breathtaking. 

We landed and I made my way to the airport bus and into XIning. I then got a taxi back to the school (the first taxi driver I asked too and he didn't rip me off too badly either!). I am just glad I had the address quite by accident in my notebook! 

I got back and said a quick hello to the guys and then headed to bed.