China is BIG!

Updated: 16 October 2003

Busrides between 10 to 24 hours are nothing special here. And EVERYBODY seems to be travelling here back and forth. The buses are always full. If there are spots free at the start of the busrides, they will fill up along the way. Many people try not to buy bus tickets at the bus depot but hope to be able to buy a discounted seat from the busdriver and the conductor. This results in fanatic haggling by everyone who gets on, even if it's over a distance of a couple of kilometers. The conductor's life is not an easy one. I have seen admirable behavior by bus conductors throughout Western China, ranging from advanced conflict management to some serious luggage weight lifting (by ladies).
On the other hand I have seen the bus stop in the middle of the desert in the middle of the night for a couple of forlorn figures with their luggage and not a building in sight. But if the price isn't right they just won't get on. They will just wait for next day's bus?

I have just left Xinjiang and (temporarily) Gansu province and landed in Qinghai after a 30 hour bus ride among gurgling, spitting, chainsmoking, farting and snoring Chinese. Who were nice chaps all the same.

I have found a hotel WITH electricity and WITH hot water, which is a no luxury as I am freezing my arse off. Although this doesn't mean that there is heating of course.
Within minutes upon arrival here in Xining I had my first Tibetan *sighting*. Damn, pretty cool dudes! Eat your heart out Chinese, these beat you to it a thousand times to it in style. I wonder why Tibetan style clothing never became the rave in the west. Oy, you Japanese. Do your duty as trendsetters and hang those huge sheep skin overcoats over yer shoulder!

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