I love this year of the tiger display at a city center department store. Thought I’d start out with a bright and cheery photo before I show you the rather gloomy images of traveling at Chinese New Year.
Sprite went to visit a friend in a neighboring province and couldn’t get a flight back to our city. So we took a bus — during Chinese New Year — three hours away to get her at another airport. Travel during any Chinese holiday is hectic, but the Spring Festival is especially torturous.
First of all, I was nervous about how long the ride would take. A good friend came to visit me right after New Year’s Day on a bus ride that should have taken no more than four hours station to home. It took her six hours! She said the traffic was terrible.
Let me show you some views of a Chinese long distance bus station.
At the larger bus stations, you will find these day laborers who will help you carry your bags with their yokes and ropes for a small fee. We regularly use these helpers to ease our burden because we don’t travel as light as our local friends. <grin> And we love to stock up on our trips to Big City.
Come on in the station in our city. Yes, it’s gloomy and dark. And why is that? Because only one light bulb is lit in the entire station. But check out our festive advertising banners!
People are everywhere, waiting to buy tickets and waiting for their bus departures. It’s cold; there’s no heating in the station. And people are smoking (even though it’s supposedly against the rules).
The line to buy tickets is going out the door. But pushing and shoving is at a minimum, so by local standards, the travelers are being quite polite. At larger bus stations the line to get into the waiting hall is pretty scary. It’s a very, very tight channel of people, all pressed together. Carrying luggage and shielding your bags from pick pockets is a stressful task. We just try to laugh and join in the pressing without getting mad when people elbow us out of the way and separate us from each other.
These are typical bags that travelers use.
The backpack basket.
Duffel bags, rice bags.
Denim backpacks and small “carry-on” suitcases.
But plenty of travelers are carrying only paper shopping bags or a purse. I envy their skill at packing light. But then again, I like to wear clean clothes each day. So it’s a trade off.
By the way, the ride was uneventful for us. The roads were clear. Somehow we’d chosen a perfect day for the trip, and it took the normal 3 hours. And we’re all home safely now after yet another “easy” bus ride home.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Always an adventure! I remember years ago visiting my sister and family who were, then, in Swaziland, Africa. Travel there was INTERESTING too!!
Myra
We travelled once in India … and it was chaos getting on the planes, with pushing and shoving … The railway was even worse with the masses of people, beggars, the poverty, the disgusting dirt … and the heat! But it makes for interesting travel stories – and yours is very entertaining!
Nadene´s last blog ..Da Vinci, Michelangelo and more ~ Famous Artists Wall Chart!
I still recall the 36 hr. train ride from Shanghai to Guangzhou on our way to Hainan. Second Class! Which by 1989 standards meant people were sleeping in the overhead luggage rack and under everyone’s seats. Hard back, 90 Degree angle plywood seats, people spitting and dropping food boxes right on the floor because in a few hours it will be swept to the end of the train car and out onto the train tracks. I noticed these same styrofoam food containers that were sitting in stagnant pools of water and oil were then collected by locals who then sold food back to passengers in these same boxes. AMAZING!!
What an interesting adventure. Thanks for sharing this post.
Ticia´s last blog ..Science Sunday: How far does a kangaroo jump
Oh my goodness, Jimmie, I would not have survived that trip. Just looking at those pieces of luggage and baskets and bags and totes makes my back ache, and I feel claustrophobic from your descriptions and the pictures. Whew. A very interesting story, and I’m glad you had a safe and uneventful journey home, but I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with that. Living in NYC was nothing compared to your experiences! lol
Emily Darling´s last blog ..Kung Hai Fat Choy
Reminds me of the trip to my parents’ house that took 6 hours instead of the usual 3 1/2 because of an ice storm. With four little kids in the car that was not my idea of fun. I do like those basket backpacks though.
sarah in the woods´s last blog ..Sunny and Colorful
wow– any kind of crowded and loud situation makes me cower. I’m glad it didn’t take you longer than 3 hours!!
btw, I love those rice bags… need to find one around here to use!
Wendy @ Sun-Kissed Scholars´s last blog ..working through submission
that would totally stress me out! mostly because of pickpockets. in korea, my mom calls them slicky-boys. one time she was so proud that she went the whole trip without anything being stolen, but on the train ride to the airport, they got her… unzipped her purse and she didn’t even know it. that’s a sad skill to have mastered! fortunately she also had some money hidden in her shoe. typical.
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Wow, sounds like an experience for sure!! Does Sprite travel by herself, or did I misunderstand? I would be scared to death as an adult!!! LOL.
She sounds like a very grown-up young lady! I’m sure she’s probably used to a lot of these sights by now… but it’s really amazing for us!
Thanks for sharing.
Lori,
She did fly on an unaccompanied minor flight. We take her to the airport (not crazy like the bus stations) and she is met at the destination airport by our friends. Perfectly safe. Of course, we’d NEVER let her take a bus alone!
That’s awesome! I’m too chicken to fly by myself, and I’m waaaay OLD!! lol. Youngsters are impressive these days!
I know you keep Sprite’s safety as #1 priority, I hope my comment didn’t come across in the wrong way!!
long distance bus journeys can be fun but there are risks. Best to travel light, avoid bringing any valuables and most importantly keep your wits about you. Have fun!
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