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A Train Ride to Hangzhou

Submitted by novakc on October 21, 2006 - 9:05pm. DEA: China

     Just for the record, train stations and train rides in China are not exactly like they are in the States and Europe. As our taxi driver arrived at the underground departure area, we were ‘attacked’ by a horde of porters trying to get our business. A crew of them went for a trunk as another crew went for the front seat. After paying the taxi driver, I had to go on the offensive and retrieve my luggage from the two vying groups and yell, “NO, only one!” as I am dragging the luggage off the second cart. The one group then took us to where we paid. They handed me a calculator with 100 on it. “No! No! Way too expensive” I responded “I do it myself” as I grabbed for the luggage. Suddenly the calculator came back with 80 on it. I turned to Dr. Novak and he agreed.
            Eighty RMB (about ten dollars) is almost twice what we paid for the taxi but IT was well worth the strong young man getting us through baggage screening, down the main part of the station to the waiting hall. He stayed with us as the departure time neared and brilliantly found a quick way through the ticket check in. I couldn’t believe it but he picked ALL our suitcases up and carried them downstairs to the proper car and helped us to our seats.
         This was no mean feat. You have to push and push and keep pushing to get on the train. I felt horrible when this lady tried to push in front of me with her elbow and I pushed back! She gave me a surprised look. I guess most Westerners don’t push back. I knew if I was getting on this train I had to push back. Dr. Novak followed in my wake with a surprised look of wonder on his face.
            The train was very nice and clean. Each person has an assigned seat but some people try to sit in the wrong seats. Dr. Novak and I had aisle seats. The train is not a high speed one and gently sways on the tracks as it goes about 40 mph. People selling food and drink are constantly walking up and down the center aisle hawking their wares. One of the official ladies walked up and down with a tea kettle of steaming hot water. Passengers would stick out their large clear plastic containers with green tea leaves in it and she would fill them. People and especially children are constantly moving about. It isn’t really noisy but I would have to be REALLY tired to go to sleep.
            As we neared our destination (Hangzhou), people started shuffling around. I quickly packed away my laptop and reached for my suitcase above. The kind gentleman sitting next to me gestured and took it down for me. Poor Dr. Novak was not so lucky. As he was trying to get his suitcase down a lady with a cart of food came up behind him. She started to rant and Dr. Novak got flustered and he loudly said “Go ahead and get off the train. I will try to follow!” I took off down the aisle, exited the train and waited on the loading platform. Just when I thought I needed to go back and rescue him, Dr. Novak appeared.
            Our next task at hand was climbing the many stairs to cross above the train tracks. It sounded like bump, thud, heave, bump, thud, heave as each of us dragged our suitcases with wheels up the stairs. All of sudden my suitcase got much lighter! A VERY kind man came up and took hold of part of the handle lifting the suitcase. Once again, Dr. Novak was left out of the unexpected act of kindness. Going down the stairs on the other side was much easier. Upon entering the train station, the attendant checked our tickets, showed us where the exit was and offered to pull one of my suitcases which I politely refused.
             I can’t believe how kind so many Chinese people have been. As we looked bewildered exiting the train station, an official came over and showed us where the taxis were. As we were standing in the line to get a taxi, a lady with a huge roll of something on her backed pushed past me and then got entangled with Dr. Novak and his suitcase. At this point, I could only laugh as I watched the two struggle since there was absolutely nothing I could do.
        Another official gave our taxi driver instruction to take us to our hotel and handed him the pieces of paper with the address on it. Off we took but it became apparent at about third traffic signals later that our taxi driver didn’t know where he was going. He rolled down the window and yelled at the truck driver next to us and I think asked for direction. I decided I better go into action since Dr. Novak was looking really STRESSED. I called the hotel on my cell phone and handed it to the driver for him to get directions. We arrived safely at the hotel.
            After getting the key to our room, the very next thing we did was ask the concierge about getting a taxi back to Shanghai instead of taking the train. I want things to be easy! More about Hangzhou in the next post. Yours, Mrs. Novak

Internet Problems

Submitted by novakc on October 26, 2006 - 9:20pm. DEA: China

Hi all,

I have been having major problems with the Internet on the cruise ship. The first night I tried for 45 minutes to get to this webpage with no success. I have tried each of the following days with no success. All of the TV and Internet comes in via satellite.

DON'T worry I am still writing and will update you when I have a good connection in Xian. I will try to get more done today IF things hold. Yours, Mrs. Novak

Train Ride

Submitted by Guest on October 25, 2006 - 10:07am.

Dear Mrs. Novak,

Sorry to hear the train ride was such a disappoinment. Poor Mr. Novak! We hope you are enjoying your cruise. WE MISS YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see you. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

You are the BEST!

Lu Kunliu