Ch 10: Realize You are Just One of a Billion+

I had been warned. I had heard the stories but did not take heed. Train travel in China is nuts they say. OK, I would say no sweat. But I did sweat. A LOT. Because I was unable to book a 1st class sleeper ticket in time we ended up taking a 15 hour, NO AC, human luggage ride. Here's how it went down on July 9th:

-The Chinese mobs that horde the entrance to the train stations are no joke. Everyone was pushing and shoving. It was like taking a ride down a human funnel. There was a point I thought I was being held back by a baby as his mom pushed past me. Next time I'll remember. Babies are just like anyone else, so watch out kid, the gloves are comin' off!

-So, think it's over once you make it INTO the train station. Wrong! Getting onto the platform and into the right car and seat is liken to taking part in an organic game of Tetris. You will have just enough space to squeeze by and fit into where you are suppose to go.

-Once inside there is no personal space as everyone is packed in like eggs in a carton.

So I must hate it right? Actually, given all the people trying to get to all these places I really can't see it working out any for efficiently as crazy as it sounds. If people actually followed the rules I think there would be massive delays. Once the commotion of getting situated settled down I found the people around me to be curious and friendly. I suppose you have to be to keep sane in a sea of people. The views were spectacular (mountain sides and river beds)as the train took off on it's course to BaoTou, Inner Mongolia the next destination on our journey.