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INDIVIDUAL VOYAGE THROUGH CHINA DURING 7 WEEKS PEKING XIAN CHENGDU CHONGQING YANGTZE RIVER MOUNTS HUANGSHAN HANGZHOU SUZHOU SHANGHAI PEKING
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Towards Xian
20.9.1990
The following day at 1PM we step the firsts in our hard-sleep coach. Soon our traveling companions are coming too; they look at us with sympathy. They wear no luggage, probably are they on a business trip because the price of this coach is to high for the common people I suppose. Everyone is putting his goblet and tea on the small table close to the window.
When the train is starting a soft traditional music start to play. This vicinage, this unexpected ritual, these discreet manners, these bridled eyes, the melody….that’s what I dreamed of! From time to time our stewardess offers ebullient water the travelers need for tea they drink non-stop. Gradually the tongues come untied. Using their some notions of English, drawings and mimics, questions and answers go on. When we show our itinerary curious heads are leaning towards the map of China. They comment it vehemently. Their charivari is pleasant to hear but suddenly no more chattering, no more music. It’s ten o’clock; light goes out, it’s time to sleep.
It’s six o’clock. The melodious sounds of a concerto awake me. At once goblets, toothbrushes in their hands, everyone stands in the row to collect water provided by a boiler in the next coach. The rule is strict, no water if the thermometer is not at 100 degrees.
Now we are all ready to continue where we stopped last night. Milan tries to perfect his little knowledge of Chinese language. The pronunciation is very difficult. The whole company is enjoying it and laughing. It’s midday; our friends informed us Xian is not far away.
20.9.1990
The following day at 1PM we step the firsts in our hard-sleep coach. Soon our traveling companions are coming too; they look at us with sympathy. They wear no luggage, probably are they on a business trip because the price of this coach is to high for the common people I suppose. Everyone is putting his goblet and tea on the small table close to the window.
When the train is starting a soft traditional music start to play. This vicinage, this unexpected ritual, these discreet manners, these bridled eyes, the melody….that’s what I dreamed of! From time to time our stewardess offers ebullient water the travelers need for tea they drink non-stop. Gradually the tongues come untied. Using their some notions of English, drawings and mimics, questions and answers go on. When we show our itinerary curious heads are leaning towards the map of China. They comment it vehemently. Their charivari is pleasant to hear but suddenly no more chattering, no more music. It’s ten o’clock; light goes out, it’s time to sleep.
It’s six o’clock. The melodious sounds of a concerto awake me. At once goblets, toothbrushes in their hands, everyone stands in the row to collect water provided by a boiler in the next coach. The rule is strict, no water if the thermometer is not at 100 degrees.
Now we are all ready to continue where we stopped last night. Milan tries to perfect his little knowledge of Chinese language. The pronunciation is very difficult. The whole company is enjoying it and laughing. It’s midday; our friends informed us Xian is not far away.
Posted by: jeanette / 2:55 AM 
