Day 2 11/18/97 (Tues)
7:35 am CT
3:35 pm 17th RT (Monday)
I doubt any of us slept much last night. We woke up 45 minutes ago. But
we have basically adjusted to the time difference.
We left our lodgings, and will not return again to HOng Kong until the
last leg of the trip.
The streets in the morning are much more seriene. Street sweeps doing
thier jobs, children heading off to school, the occasional bus, all the
shops closed. Much calmer.
We are taking our breakfast in a McDonalds because it seems to be the only
place open, and besides, we don;t have much time, we have a train to catch.
There are many people in here already, and from "all walks of life."
It seems that many of them are fast asleep, their "meals" finished
on the tray in front of them. It is highly amusing because I have never
seen this before, but I rarely go into fast food places this early.
****
9:45 am 11/18/97 CT (Tues)
5:45 pm 11/17/97 RT (Mon)
We're on the express train now heading for Canton, I think. It's only
a two hour train ride, and it's not a plane, so I'm happy. =) But once
we get where we're going we're goign to get on a plane. a two hour plane
ride. Not that long either.
They gave us bottles of water on the train. You can't drink water anywhere
here, or even brush your teeth with tap water.
The cuttency rate in Hong Kong is about $7.7 to our $1. It was interesting
when Clair handed Brian a ten dollar coing and told him not to spend it
all in one place.
****
10:18 am 11/18/97 CT (Tues)
6:18 pm 11/17/97 RT (Mon)
The countryside we pass is lush and green. The gardens are very well kept,
and the plants are grown in neat rectangles. The tops of different plants
are different shades of greens, so the color contrast from one rectangle
to the next is lovely. The farmers have to get the most out of the little
land they have and are very proud of their gardens. The plant rectangles
are also grown on different levels. It looks very well kept. [Brian: "This
reminds me a lot more of Viatnam than I thought it would." Orion:
"It makes me wasnt to go home right away and start a garden like that."
Clair: "A very manicured landscape. And its like that everywhere."]
Many of the "ponds" we see as we ride by on train are filled
(inhabited) by many white ducks, raised for resteraunts. =( Maybe I can
grab a few to stuff in my suitcase & take home. "no, that's me
quacking, not my luggage." =)
****
3:24 pm 11/18/97 CT (Tues)
11:24 pm 11/17/97 RT (Mon)
The shuttle rides, or catching the shuttles at all to get to the airport
was madening. We are all extremely lucky that Clair can speak Chinese.
We ate lunch in the airport. Clair ordered and when the plate of beef
(or so we thought) arrived, both Orion and Brian dug in. They did think
it tasted a bit funny. There was a reason. While taking our order the
waitress thought we pointed to the dish below the beef dish. It was DUCK
tongue!!! Reason #4 I don't eat meat. UAP. Unidentified Animal Products.
Neither one of the boys would touch the meat part of the dish after that.
We are on our plane now. It wasn't boarding in the way I am used to in
the states. We chaecked in ,then there was a mad dash for seats on a bus
shuttle (most people were forced to stand, all of us but Brian got some
sort of seat.) that took us to the plane. We proceeded to baord using one
of those stairways that you see the presidents decending from in the old
telly footage. The plane is nothing out of the ordinary except that all
instructions etc. are given in Chinese.
After catching the shuttles and trying to find the one we needed to take
and the whole duck tongue thing this flight shall be adequite resting time.
Nonetheless it is more time in the air. I believe I shall be sick of planes
after this trip. At least for the time being.
While walking, attempting to find the final shuttle to the airport some
man made some sort of comment towards me. Later Brian aske dme what the
man said. Clair commented that he probably proposed (lol). My response
was asking what kind of proposal it might be. It brought on quite a laugh.
But really, it is strange to not know what people are saying. A feeling
of being left out, I suppose. But what am I to expect in a country where
I don't understand the languige. But still, it is not exactly a wonderful
feeling to know that you look like (are) a tourist. I never particularly
liked the feeling, wherever I go. I can simply imagine the "stupid
tourist" jokes and comments. I know I've made my share about those
who stop while passing through Laytonville.
Back home (for the next 20 minutes @least) it is my friend Greg's Birthday.
So happy birthday Greg.
Once we arrive in Canton we will find a hotel to stay @ & see if we
can buy boat tickets for tomorrow. Perhaps we shall go shopping as well.
I would like to find gifts for everyone before we get back to Hong Kong,
because it shall be cheaper in the amin part of China. Perhaps this evening
I will buy and write out my first set of postcards. Maybe mail them tomorrow.
We shall see.
****
7:29 pm 11/18/97 CT
3:29 am 11/18/97 RT Tuesday
We got off the plane & got on the bus that took us to the city. Imediatly
after we got off the bus two people approached us telling us they'd take
us (by car) where we wanted to go (hotel, boat tickets, etc.) for a good
price (10 yuen) so we went. After finding out that indeed, a boat goign
down the river was leaving that very night we decided to take it.
So here we are, on a large water craft that seems sturdy enough. But that
is all I can say about it. I only proay I do not get sick once we ship
out, which seems to be happening @ this very moment.
The only comforting thought is that there might be some other English speakers,
tourists even, on board. I grow weary of conversation with the same three
people, and here that is what I am confined to.