Noise, noise, NOISE!
April 18, 2008
We're back in Guangzhou now. We arrived in Guilin for the overnight train a day early by mistake. We were boarding the train and handing our tickets over when the conductor said, "No, your ticket is for TOMOROROW." Whoops. We got confused on our dates. So, we ended up spending a night in Guilin, and seeing a beautiful park the next day.
Then the night train here to Guangzhou. This train ride wasn't as restful as the last. People talking kept us up all night. In the United States, a lot of people regard the Chinese as quiet, passive, even meek. The thing is, the Chinese people that most Americans might meet are the nerds, the studious upper-class ones who made good enough grades to be able to come to the United States to study. In reality, the Chinese are a garrulous, sociable, talkative folk. And they're LOUD. It is no coincidence that fireworks were invented here. The Chinese seem particularly fond of the type of firecrackers- the ones that have no pretty colors... they just make a lot of noise. So, after a while in China (and not too long a while, at that), you'll reach one of those moments when you feel like the Grinch complaining about the Whos in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." They've got their noise-makers and their toy trains and their pantooklers, and Oh, the noise, noise, NOISE!! Last night was one of those (long) moments for us, as the fellows in the lower berths carried on an extended conversation about the prices and relative merits of cigarettes- at full volume and at three in the morning. We're also convinced that prior to the current cell phone network, there must have been a system using paper Dixie cups and string. The Chinese all yell so loudly into their phones this can be the only explanation.
Other than that, our trip is going well. We'll be in Hong Kong tonight; Tama flies out tomorrow.
We're back in Guangzhou now. We arrived in Guilin for the overnight train a day early by mistake. We were boarding the train and handing our tickets over when the conductor said, "No, your ticket is for TOMOROROW." Whoops. We got confused on our dates. So, we ended up spending a night in Guilin, and seeing a beautiful park the next day.
Then the night train here to Guangzhou. This train ride wasn't as restful as the last. People talking kept us up all night. In the United States, a lot of people regard the Chinese as quiet, passive, even meek. The thing is, the Chinese people that most Americans might meet are the nerds, the studious upper-class ones who made good enough grades to be able to come to the United States to study. In reality, the Chinese are a garrulous, sociable, talkative folk. And they're LOUD. It is no coincidence that fireworks were invented here. The Chinese seem particularly fond of the type of firecrackers- the ones that have no pretty colors... they just make a lot of noise. So, after a while in China (and not too long a while, at that), you'll reach one of those moments when you feel like the Grinch complaining about the Whos in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." They've got their noise-makers and their toy trains and their pantooklers, and Oh, the noise, noise, NOISE!! Last night was one of those (long) moments for us, as the fellows in the lower berths carried on an extended conversation about the prices and relative merits of cigarettes- at full volume and at three in the morning. We're also convinced that prior to the current cell phone network, there must have been a system using paper Dixie cups and string. The Chinese all yell so loudly into their phones this can be the only explanation.
Other than that, our trip is going well. We'll be in Hong Kong tonight; Tama flies out tomorrow.
posted by John at 5:39 PM
2 Comments:
It wouldn't be China without at least one sleepless train ride.
Surprised you encountered the smoking and spitting. Maybe it's a country thing. We really didn't see much of that in Chengdu or Beijing. Sounds like you're having fun and I hope you're not imposing too muych veg food on Tama.
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