Stranded the middle of nowhere, with Miss World

I've always been a bit leery of leaving Beijing during the Golden Weeks.

For one thing, I like it here when it is quiet. And, with so many of the city's residents trying to leave town, I have tended to think that planes, trains and automobiles are things I should avoid during the holidays as diligently as a schoolboy avoids broccoli.

But that all changed this National Day Holiday when I finally caved in to pressure from my irresistible girlfriend and agreed to get out of Beijing for a few days.