First trip difficulties

Today I am starting my first trip inside the country… about 1.400 kilometers with the train, from me to the other city are about 22 hours of traveling (at the beginning I was told 14-15)… but it’s not too easy to buy a correct train ticket or even travel around in China, also not easy with the help of Chinese speaking people…

Actually I wanted to write about our Chinese classes, the University, our teachers, and in a further article about the nightlife we do here. But, these facts also have been the reason why I had no time for writing the articles.

Back to the story: I bought the train ticket today, bought some eating and drinking stuff, and in fear of suffering in being bored I went into the store next to our building and bought all English magazines – which was exactly one. So at least I will have lots of time to study my travelers guide and do the sleeping I was not able to do the last nights.

Nothing special? I can give you some tipps, then you will not spend half a day with buying ticket (this is just the limited point of view of a Western guy):

• It is impossible to buy a ticket without the help of a Chinese speaking friend (except somewhere at the other end of the city)
• Also Chinese native speakers have their problems to buy the right ticket in the right section you want (e.g. seat instead of sleeping/bed)
• You cannot return tickets at the counter/reseller you bought them in your district
• But, you can return tickets at the main train station (after riding the underground long enough to get there) and buy the bed/sleeper class if there is a bed left in the train – imagine, if it’s already fully booked, you have to choose another train – with is, of course, a much slower train (by the way: you have to speak Chinese for the return-process)
• If you book another train – the other train also leaves from another big train station within Shanghai – and you have to go with the underground for about one hour from my place to the other train station
• And, you also should be at the train station about one hour before leaving, because it is not ensured, that you find your way to your correct railway track or really get your reserved and bought place in the train (about the Chinese mentality of getting places in buses or underground I will tell you later)

Nevertheless, I am happy that my Chinese friend will pick me up at the trainstation in Guangzhou (not the eastern trainstation of the city, I will arrive at the main station – as far as I think now). After these difficulties I look forward to survive the first ride, get out at the correct station, find my friend, have some nice days with her and her husband in their city, and enjoy at least a bit warmer weather than here, even if she said that I should bring my jacket with me… 😉