When it comes to train rides in China, I always get into this inward thought process of "Do I want to start talking? We still have 4 hours left to go, and I'm trapped here in this seat......man, she's talking to me...should I pretend like I don't understand? Oh no! I said something! Now I have to keep talking! There goes my plan to just zone out to my favorite novels or tv shows on the laptop." Embarrassing or not, this is the cold hard truth when you sit next to Chinese people on trains.
To our surprise, our latest train experience was nothing short of exhilarating as we taught the lady sitting next to us the game Phase 10, while she gave us a LONG time to practice (and maximize) our Chinese language abilities. The game is a very exhaustive game as it is, so it felt like an eternity when she meticulously watched each round that we went through. Trying to describe the difference between a set and a run, and then what to do when you don't get your phase, was harder than we thought! Many times Dave and I would just look at each other, shrug our shoulders, then look back at her as all three of us burst out laughing. She decided to join in the fun on the second round....interesting the crowd of people around us to come and watch. What a fun and memorable train ride!
Maybe my perspective has changed a bit with how much I engage in conversation when traveling. Now I at least know to always have some American games handy!
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