YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Hanging out in Shanghai................
A Trip To Nowhere and Everywhere
- Thread starter YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
- Start date
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
I really enjoyed Shanghai and the local Chinese people treated me quite well, although I did have a few instances where people tried to scam me. Probably the worst was my hotel (this was no 5 star hotel). Check out time was 12 p.m. and I asked if I could stay a little longer. They said no problem, but when I tried to enter my room at 12:30 p.m., they had locked up my luggage and refused me access to it unless I paid for another night. I protested, began to yell and throw my arms around. Finally after probably (15) minutes, they allowed me to retrieve my luggage, expecting me to return to the desk. Once I had my luggage, I was out the door while the desk clerks loudly protested.
I caught a taxi and made it to the train station, arriving quite early. I was escorted by a porter to a VIP waiting room, which usually I would stay away from, but I had been having issues related to my surgery which unfortunately seemed to be getting worse as each day passed. The VIP waiting room is also where the Chinese police and soldiers wait. After hanging out for several hours, a group of policemen became quite interested in me, and came over and began to "interrogate" me. I became quite uncomfortable but eventually they seemed to lose interest and moved on, but I swear they were watching me the entire time.
Eventually I took a nap (the 12 hour time change kicked my butt). Not sure how long I was out but I woke up after being kicked in the leg. I looked up and there was a policeman standing there laughing at me. After a few seconds he wandered off to his group. As you might imagine, I was becoming quite concerned with the way things were going.
Finally it was time to board the train and I made my way to my sleeping compartment. After stowing my gear, I walked back outside and decided to take a few pictures, several of which were photos of the policeman. I guess that this didn't go over too well, and once again I was confronted by a group of policeman.
I caught a taxi and made it to the train station, arriving quite early. I was escorted by a porter to a VIP waiting room, which usually I would stay away from, but I had been having issues related to my surgery which unfortunately seemed to be getting worse as each day passed. The VIP waiting room is also where the Chinese police and soldiers wait. After hanging out for several hours, a group of policemen became quite interested in me, and came over and began to "interrogate" me. I became quite uncomfortable but eventually they seemed to lose interest and moved on, but I swear they were watching me the entire time.
Eventually I took a nap (the 12 hour time change kicked my butt). Not sure how long I was out but I woke up after being kicked in the leg. I looked up and there was a policeman standing there laughing at me. After a few seconds he wandered off to his group. As you might imagine, I was becoming quite concerned with the way things were going.
Finally it was time to board the train and I made my way to my sleeping compartment. After stowing my gear, I walked back outside and decided to take a few pictures, several of which were photos of the policeman. I guess that this didn't go over too well, and once again I was confronted by a group of policeman.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
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.
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.
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
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.
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
Traveler
What a great adventure!
Maximus Ram
Expedition Leader
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.
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
Explorer
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 !!
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BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
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!
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!