Chengdu
When we reached Chengdu we immediatly ran into the Duestch girls we had parted ways with when we left for the Tigon grasslands. After a little catching up we decided to get to a hostel. The hostel we chose turned out to be a nightmare and due to heavy rain we were forced wait until the next day to change to a better one. It has now been 4 days in Chengdu and everything has been pretty laid back. I wasn't able to find a train ticket to Xian until the 2nd of August due to the national holiday of the founding of the PLA (Peoples Liberation Army). Overall, the most exitment in Chengdu has included finding the a sitdown toilet and a bank which would take my check card.
I feel done with China. I guess the thing that actually makes me feel ready to leave is people constantly trying to cheat me, or get money from me. Seeing a westerner seems to often send Chinese people in a frothing frenzy of monatary harrasment. Sadly the most common phrase I have used since I got to China is "no want" not "hello", or "thank you". I don't feel like my trip here has been negative, just having to be constantly on gaurd, or arguing with people has left me feeling a bit drained. Its good that I'm on my way to Mongolia. It will take a little bit to travel over the rest of China, but I should be in Ulaanbaatar by mid August.
I leave Tuesday for Xian. I think the train ride is under 14 hours, so its should be a cinch. Xian was China's first capital, predating Bejing by quite a lot. I don't plan to spend much time there, but it should be an interesting city to pass through.
I feel done with China. I guess the thing that actually makes me feel ready to leave is people constantly trying to cheat me, or get money from me. Seeing a westerner seems to often send Chinese people in a frothing frenzy of monatary harrasment. Sadly the most common phrase I have used since I got to China is "no want" not "hello", or "thank you". I don't feel like my trip here has been negative, just having to be constantly on gaurd, or arguing with people has left me feeling a bit drained. Its good that I'm on my way to Mongolia. It will take a little bit to travel over the rest of China, but I should be in Ulaanbaatar by mid August.
I leave Tuesday for Xian. I think the train ride is under 14 hours, so its should be a cinch. Xian was China's first capital, predating Bejing by quite a lot. I don't plan to spend much time there, but it should be an interesting city to pass through.
posted by Robert at 7/30/2005 11:47:00 PM
3 Comments:
i've never met a mainlander i could stand. chinese who escaped pre-revolution are so different.
Robert,
Been reading, with much interest, many of your postings. A challenging trip for sure. Glad to hear you are still well, for the most part.
Your folks are here in Oceanside for a few, I'm sure you know.
I am not surprised to hear about the greed and graft you have experienced. I have had Chinese as clients and one of my best friends is married to a Chinese national (trying to become an American citizen). The stories about monetary-centric, behavior and the insensitive attitude of business people I have seen is sad. Yet, my friends wife is so very kind and thoughtful. Humanity is an ocean.
I certainly hope you find a more accepting populace as your travels continue.
Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough. –– Janwillem van de Wetering
Your Aunt Peggy says Hi.
Hey, why don't you ship us one of those Mongolian Horses when you get to the Steppes, I hear they are not that large. :-)
Watch for the gazelles.
Be Well, Stay Well,
RD
Hi Robert,
I to have experienced the "monetary-centric" people of the world. I was in the Carribean and I had on a black dress that had white fish all over. I was chased down by a band of woman trying to braid my hair yelling "hey fish lady." I narrowely escaped, returned to my hotel, and retired the fish dress for the rest of my trip.
Thank you for your animated tales. I wish I was there with you. I think I said that before...
Love Becka
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