Fox tail and 350km/h, is that possible?

From Simon's diary:

Wednesday, 10/02/19 - 2nd day of vacation - 23:05

I am over the moon! But let's start from the beginning...

The day begins with scrambled eggs and pain in my legs from yesterday's forced march around the lake, beautiful. Anna's motivationless hanging around (literally half hanging off the chair) suggests that we need a plan for the day. Since the next few days promise good weather, it's time for our first short trip to the nearby countryside. Looked on Trip.com and quickly found 2 standing places on the Gaotje (350 km/h train) from Suzhou via Shanghai to Hangzhou for 15€ each. Helge would sing "the connection is ideal!". Found the seemingly last room for 2 people in the tea mountains around Hangzhou on booking.com, almost too good to be true. But the booking confirmation arrives promptly by carrier pigeon, so nothing stands in the way of tomorrow's trip. Well, almost nothing. Since in China the general travel madness has broken out due to the Golden Week national holiday, train tickets must be collected personally at the ticket counter, which should be done at least one day in advance to avoid last-minute delays due to long queues. Said and done, took the metro to Suzhou North High-Speed Railway Station. After a short search and generous help from an English-speaking Chinese person, the whole thing was done within 5 minutes.

Next destination: Auchan supermarket. According to Anna, this French mega-supermarket chain has everything imaginable in its arsenal, all dressed in Aldi's coat. And indeed: from toothbrush to air conditioner, from polo shirt to e-bike (Chinglish for electric scooter), they have everything the thrifty Swabian heart desires.

And here it happens: Anna and I have gone under the wheels (not "come" ;)). Arrival by taxi, departure from the E-Bike terminal. Hells Angels Prime membership included. The only thing missing is the denim vest and mucus brake, both unfortunately purchased items (my male ego cowers pitifully). With a baguette under my arm and Anna on the back seat, we set off on the 7 km way home. Proud as a peacock about the successful deal (Donald would rightly have called it "the greatest deal") and with Hank Häberles' "Platz do, weg do! Aus dr Bahn weil I fahr GTI" on my lips, I master the shoulder. The astonished and (due to the pretty passenger) envious looks of the Chinese people over 2 long-noses on this noble vehicle only strengthen my feeling of superiority.

As we cruise past Jinjie Lake with 22 km/h top speed, the feeling of being 15 and 16 years old again in school comes over me: girl on the back seat, ride from the swimming lake towards Essen and the constantly recurring thought caused by the overtaking scooters and cars, what could my new, buzzing beater achieve... But that's a whole different story.

After a 20-minute ride home, quickly take a few photos, shower, have a snack and pack for tomorrow morning, departure at 9:00.

Awesome day.