A Trip To Nowhere and Everywhere

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

So, we finally got underway, but not only was I feeling bad physically, I found my self under quite a bit of stress due to the treatment that I received from the Chinese police. The train headed west into miles of flat land.

I found that as the time passed by, my stress level only heightened. I had been told by several Chinese in Shanghai (one was a guide / tour operator) that now was a bad time to go to Tibet solo. If you do a search online, you'll find that Tibetans are currently protesting against the Chinese government as the Chinese government is proposing to rid the schools of the Tibetan language.

 

[Mr. D]

Jerry are you sure you are not living a scene from the Bourne series of movies. Enjoy the rest of your trip how your body begins to physically recover.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

A passing train:

It was 5 a.m., pitch dark outside, and the train came to a stop. I slid open the door to my sleeping compartment, peered down the hallway either way, and saw no one. Looking forward I noticed that the exterior door to my car was open. I hadn't slept all night (as a matter of fact I usually only slept a few hours each night) and was feeling pretty crappy. Without too much thought at that moment, I grabbed my bag and jumped off the train. :Wow1:I walked up a hill, looked back and watched my train to Tibet take off. Too weird...............but at least I didn't have to deal with those Chinese policeman any longer.

I just didn't feel safe on that train, and I just was feeling worse each mile we traveled. Anyhow, now, not knowing where I was, and not speaking Chinese, became quite interesting. To make a long story short, I eventually was able to find a train back to Shanghai where I made it to an American hotel. Eventually I was able to get a return flight to the states.

I'm feeling much better at the moment and can only wonder how the stress may have played an important role in my physical condition ??

Now, I'm back to planning my trip to Argentina, repairing my rig, and hanging out with Yukon.

 

[Lostmanifesto]

What a great adventure!

 

[VicHanson]

Makes our travels in Peru seem pretty tame! Glad you are back safely! And that you are feeling better. So far I've only had to deal with a sheriff with a bad attitude here in California when I tried to camp in the parking lot of a park that was closed for the night.

 

[Maximus Ram]

Sorry to hear that you cut your trip short and weren't feeling well. BUt good to hear that you made it back home safe and are doing better.
Sometimes it that little voice that warns us to retreat than forge ahead that keeps us from getting into more than we care to handle.
HAve fun preparing for your new adventures....looking foreward to reading and seeing the pics from it.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Vic..........this was a different kind of crazy. I still remember that trip we took in your 4x4 van from Arequipa to your house in Cotahuasi. It was raining, there was a heavy fog, huge cliffs dropping off right along the side of the dirt road, you had one headlight that pointed straight up (as I recall), and I had to get out of the van and walk in front to keep you on the road.:Wow1: That was a pretty insane night..........but a fond memory !!

 

[BIGdaddy]

Been all over China, from the Gobi Desert and inner mongolia to the metropolis's of Shanghai and Bejing.

VERY interesting experience, for sure. Not sure I'd want to go back, but honestly I have a lot of fond memories.

One of my best friends on that trip was our policeman escort, "Chuck". He was a rule-follower, but also prone to breaking out in lessons on traditional dance and song when we were waiting at a checkpoint or rest stop. Great guy.

Cheers!