With metro and bus to Ciqikou


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Letter 46

 

Thursday 27.05.10
Chongqing is in more than one way a city in different levels. To get to Tina`s Hostel, you have to walk down a stair. Tina`s is still 2.Class, but if you continue down the stairs, you`ll get to 3.class. And in the center we`ll find 1.class. In the real world the difference is unbelievable. From the most ugly and poor, to the most intriuging and sophisticated. And then there are those far beyond any class. High up on top.
In this way Chongqing is a picure of modern China. It runs at many levels and at many speeds.
I decline the steps and wanders about the pitoresque but poor streets. At one time I advance to see if it`s possible to decline more but give up. But I shouldn`t says a man, and he`s right, so I walk down 4-6 floors.
In this way I reach the river promenade. There is even a path further down. And at the river bed sit the fishermen.
I decide to go to Ciqikou, an old part of the city, that should be the last still standing from the old Chongqing. It`s more than 10 km.
First I have to go by the metro, the monorail, the "light way" or just "qing gui". The metro costs 3 RMB for 8 stations. A bus would be 1 1/2. You see the difference in passengers. And there are not many.
The monorail is a bit like a roller coaster. The rail have to stick to the mountainside and it`s going up and down and to and fro.
From Da Ping I have to take bus no.467 and go all the way to the ending, that`s simpel.

 


   
Not all has a pram   Outside piping

 

The bus goes past endless skyscrapers km after km. I start believing those that claim, that Chongqing is the worlds biggest city with more than 30 mill. people. Unly 3,5 mill. In the center, but...
I`m close to sleep constantly in this bus, is it the damp heat?
Ciqikou IS an old town, but the most charming wooden houses have turned into the usual tourist trap. The rest is hardly that pitoresque.
 


   
Tourists in Chiqikou   Who said tired?


 

On my way back I have to get off at the right spot. I get sleepy immidiately in the bus but in the end I see at the sign at one of the stops, that now it`s the second stop. I have to ask for "Qing gui", they don`t advertise much.
Back in the hostel together with 2 yogurt bought on the way back, I decide that the cabel car across the Yangtze will be the last item for the day. I find it without problems. What about my freight for heights? Strangely I don`t feel anything at all. Maybe it`s because it`s so big? It`s still very misty, but I do take some photos.
When I`m back I talk to a norwegian couple from Bergen. They`re going for the Yangtze cruise. Later an elderly dutch couple turns up. Also going to the Yangtze. There seem not to be big interest for "the chinese style", that Burghard and I joined two yearss ago, cause these are much more expensive.
The temperature is convinient this evening, but there are mosciutoes outside. Two found their way to my right arm. So I have drawn back to my room, then I can follow CCTV News - a new english spoken programme - with one ear.
 

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