The bus ride back to UB went without a hitch which is rare in Mongolia. We checked back into the hostel for the night then caught the train in the morning to Beijing. Our new cabin friends were Robert and Katie, Robert was German and Katie was American they weren't bad for a German and an American, and amazingly Robert hadn't bagged my bed first with his beach towel. We got to the border and it was the same routine. Us travellers knew how it worked whilst the holiday makers fussed and stressed we took it all in our stride. The immigration people boarded the train asking for our entry card declaring when we arrived and what we had, that's when I realised I had lost mine. I started doing a Steve and checking the same pockets 20 times, then I had the contents of my bag spread around the cabin, i checked everywhere then I checked again. I was starting to sweat a bit, wondering if the scenery from the cells in Mongolia was as beautiful. The immigration guy entered the cabin everybody else handed theirs over then he asked me. I used the most pathetic voice and tried to look all sorry and innocent like the Puss in boots in Shrek. He asked me where I was from, then he just said ok and left. I couldn't believe it was that easy. I kept expecting them to come in with some rubber gloves but nothing. God I'm going to miss this country. Several hours later after the wheels had been changed to fit Chinas railway lines we were aloud off. There was one shop open on the platform and it had cold beers, people were going mad pushing and shoving, the elbows were out, all for a couple of beers that after all my best elbowing and trampling turned out to be warm. We had a good nights sleep and woke in the morning to rolling heels, lakes and pretty mountain villages. Eventually after 24hrs we arrived in Beijing. The station was manic, it was like being at the very front of a concert with everyone pushing you. I watched the bags while Steve went to get some cash, whilst he was gone I attempted to persuade the whole of Beijing that I didn't need a "taxeee" or a "otel". Steve managed to spot a McDonald's without all the crowds so we made away there and slipped out of the madness to gain our bearings and use the wifi. The wifi didn't work but the hamburger and fries were a good substitute. After realising we didn't have a clue how much a taxi should cost and knowing that they always try to fleece you we decided to walk the short distance to the hostel. It was baking, and my bag seems to be getting heavier by the day. 3 hours later we were lost. My knee was killing me (old injury) and I was struggling with the bag the heat and a painful knee. Steve spotted a McDonald's delivery driver (yes they have a delivery service 24hrs a day! Still not enough to make me want to live here) Steve showed him our hostel address in Chinese and although he couldn't speak English he jumped on his bike and motioned for us to follow him. It was another 15 minutes of winding through alley after alley or Hutongs as they call them until we got to a small red doorway in a wall at the end of an alley. The McDonald's guy wouldn't even take a tip he just smiled and waved. McDonald's really had made our day. Finally we Had made It. We stepped inside and instantly felt the stress and heat melt away. The hostel was a traditional Chinese style, laid out around a small courtyard with trees overhanging and lanterns strung around. It was like a little sanctuary in a world of madness. Ddddd I'm loving it!