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On the Road to China
with George... page 2
The trip to the Shanghai Rail Station
Saturday, August 8, 2006
I arrived at the airport last night, at about 8 P.M. Going through customs was easy, just
a long line. A simple check of the passport and I was through,
the bags were there with no problem when I opened up, I found
a note that they had checked my bag, all had gone through including
nuts and dried fruit with no problem. I found the Ramada
desk and in no time I was in my room. Americans are give priority
when checking into hotels, the Chinese seem to accept I i wish
I had taken a few more American dollars, the hotel people seem
to like them.
I fell asleep rather quickly, but I woke in the middle
of the night, but I fell asleep again. I seemed to wake
up refreshed but muddled in my thinking. I think jet lag
was still with me. I eliminated one bag, the old one dad
had given me as a carry on, the one the blueberries spilled in,
I threw out a couple of books to lighten the load, (though now
I wish I had something to read) When I headed down to the business
center at 7:30, it was closed. So, I checked out the buffet,
as I found out later, the buffet was free. The food was
very good, as was the food on the plane, I have been eating quite
well. Lots of grapefruit juice, noodles,ham, and pork,
most of the buffet were native Chinese dished. all very good and
tasty.
Next train to Zhenzhou is 4:20, lots of time to get I i
had her write out in Chinese, the name of the train I wanted and
directions in Chinese as to how to get I that way I could
stop a national, and ask for directions by showing them the paper.
I met a young girl from Australia in the lobby, she had missed
her connection, an was stranded in Shanhai, the hotel had been
sold out, but she had been lucky enough to hook up with a German
woman, who had a double and gave her the extra bed. When
the shuttle dropped us off at the airport she disappeared. A
lot like Ben the teen age boy who sat next to me on the plane
and did suduku with me.
When the plane landed he disappeared with out so much as
a good bye. I had directions from the business center to
take the mag train, high speed, to the sub way and make a switch
in downtown Shanghai. Just before I got on the ma train
I bumped into a woman from Spain, her name was Suzzie. She
She invited me to share a seat with me.
As luck would have it, she was going to the train station in Shanghai.
She turned out to be quite invaluable. and and a good
friend. I will continue this at the next opportunity, I
have to go catch the next train to Xian. love to all, George
I am back in ZhenZhou, Jin-Jow...
Monday, July 10, 2006 9:44 AM
This evening, the university did
not have accommodations for me, so
I returned. I am staying at the Red Coral Hotel, for about
$33. a night, every bit as good as the Airport Ramada. I
am staying here because it is a block away from the railway station.
China is a rather remarkable place. The food so far has
been very good. Chris at the University of Pingdingshan
took me out to lunch with his assistant, we had food I had never
experienced before, there was fish dish with lots of bones, a
green dish that was something like spinach but it wasn't, a soup
with something like matzo balls in it made with fish broth and
mushrooms. And a pork dish, I think pork knuckles, or some
kind of pork joint. there is so much to tell, it is impossible
to put it all into an a-mail. I took the bus up and back
from Pingdingshan, the driver coming back was one of the most
remarkable sights I have ever seen.
I don't know how he doesn't wreck every time he make a trip.
Anyone who enjoys
Nascar needs to ride with this guy. He is more thrilling
than Nascar because you know he has your life on the line.
Like I say, I couldn't put it all in one email. The university
was interesting, they are building a new campus, a huge place
out of the city (about 5 miles) they have partially moved in,
the old campus is rather bleak, and the teacher accommodations
reasonably spacious, dark and dingy.
The people on campus were quite friendly, although only
2 or 3 could speak English. Chris and his assistant Miss
Lee both spoke well. Things got a little cool when I told
him I didn't think I would be interested in teaching at his university.
He called ahead to Xian to tell them I would be coming later in
the week. He also arranged for my railway ticket which leaves
tomorrow at 2 P.M. And he called the Red Coral Hotel to make tonight's
reservation. and and he escorted me to the bus station to make
sure I
got on my proper way. I have been quite fortunate to have
the right people with me at the right time. Now I am going
to Xian, I am going to stay there for the rest of the week.
I understand some of the other teachers will be there and they
have arranged for us to stay at a particular hotel.
This area is ok, but, the pollution is beyond belief,
the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife. I have only
seen the sun twice since I arrived. Both times in Shanghai
after it rained. I couldn't live in an area like this. I
understand Xian is in the Mountains and the air is cleaner.
There are also more things for a westerner do.
Again, I have only scratched the surface of all the things I have
seen.
With love, George, send this on to anyone you might think would
be interested.
©All rights reserved...George in China
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journey... page 3