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Living and traveling in China - the train to Jingmen, Hubei
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Farming can be seen along many train routes
The first real train ride that I took, in my life, occurred during the month of March, 2001 when I was in Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia. I took the “Executive Train” to Jakarta. Outside of that, living in China gave me tremendous experience in all aspects of the countries transportation system. The Yogyakarta to Jakarta train took a little over 8 hours. Now, I’m on a Chinese passenger train enroute to my new challenge and experience. Certainly a lot longer journey.
Train to Jingmen
By the time you depart the Guangzhou main train station, you’ll most likely have settled somewhat in your quarters. I spent the first hour, I’d say, trying my skills at a real international communication encounter (Also known as a conversation). I was grateful that I had my phrase book as it was well utilized.
In any event, I felt very comfortable in the ‘soft bed’ car of this train. My compartment mates made every attempt to be cordial and friendly, as did I. It won’t take too long for word to get about the car that a “foreigner” is onboard; if they haven’t seen you enter or already go about the compartment. You’ll find that you, at times, may be the only foreigner on the entire train. My fellow compartment travelers spent several moments sharing what we could of our language and using some written or visual examples.
Just out of curiosity only, and no disrespect to you, your Chinese hosts may ask you about your hometown; express an opinion about your government, and other more personal questions such as family, ages, boy-girl, etc. If you feel comfortable in sharing, I recommend you do so. I wanted to learn as much of the language I could so I that I’d be a better representative of my homeland. I also had planned to spend as much time as I could and learn about China during my numerous encounters.
Along the way
I had previously read stories about how, during free time, a lot of foreign experts tend to spend more time together than they did with their Chinese hosts. I decided to do the opposite, with exception of my colleague Eric Amene, from Cameroon, at WenFeng Middle School. So, I tried as often as I could to listen carefully on how and what my fellow passengers were speaking while answering what questions I could, in any manner, from hand signs to phrase book translations.
Now, if you happen to be reading this story, while riding on a train in China, right now, by yourself, not knowing too many citizens of China, except for your recruiter, you’re sitting in this compartment, thinking. What shall I do? I decided on a little adventure throughout the train. Now the idea of an adventure through the train might be in order.
The ‘soft bed’ (rou ruan chuang ???) car, by far, is the best way to travel by train. It provides comfort, security, suitable privacy, and some room to roam about. I highly recommend you purchase a soft bed ticket while traveling through China. Then again, you might gain some valuable awareness of the Chinese culture and meet the common people, if your ride is long-distance in the seat and standing car. I’ve done a few of those too. I’ll tell you more in coming editions.
I also wanted to see as much of the countryside as I could during daylight, so I would frequently look outside any window that was available but eventually settled on the window view from any of four main entering and exiting the compartment. The train we were on made many stops along the way and at most all the stops I was able to read the station name as we were entering the platform area. There were a couple of men, in my car, that had maps. I could occasionally see and hear discussions on locations and time. A few others would check the pocket sized timetable-schedule that was posted at the bulkhead near the entrance.
At each stop, some passengers would get off and buy a warm meal from one of many vendors selling from a push-pull cart along the platforms. For 5 – 10 rmb or cny you can buy a variety of rice mixed dishes and with some you keep the clay pot, although most diners prefer to toss it out any open window. You’ll find that clay is abundant in China. The soil is clay based in many places. I’m assuming that someone will eventually come by and recycle the clay.
This train was also slower than other trains that travel through Jingmen, although I didn’t know it at the time.
For more info: email Tom at tompurvis51@hotmail.com
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