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English Version 14
Tuesday 15.04.08
Taiyuan
There was a big fuzz in the hotel when I’d asked how I got out of the
city in the direction of Pingyao, which is the target og today.
Two maps in different scales was decorated the wall in the reception.
The girl at the counter wasn’t sure and made some calls. More came by,
but in the meantime I had studied both maps + my own closely and had
come to a result, but never feel too secure here. Better ask once more.
After a lot of discussion, where one more has arrived, whom I believe is
a guest, but shows up to be a manager, they reach the same conclusion as
I. I remember to ask the name of the road I have to follow to the right
and the name of the road I have to take to the left, and that’s fine,
because the distances are longer than expected and there are no signs
where I expect them to be.
The entire crew helps me out with my luggage and when I wipe dust off
the saddle a wet piece of cloth emerge and the manager starts cleaning
my bike.
Then it comes to my mind that I ought to buy some sun creme and a little
help might be needed. It turns out to be wise – or maybe not – but fun.
I think, I’ve made them understand, what it’s all about, and they think
they’ve understood, what I mean, so a fuwuyuan, as the staff is called,
is accompanying me to the pharmacy which I’ve already noticed up the
street.
An exciting scene takes place.
First some pills, hydrokinon, I think, which are painkillers. Then some
against itching. Then painkilling crème and at last – I think – the
right stuff. The tube is rather small. This crème should be factor 12.
That’s it!
I’m touched by all this willingness to help. They’ll do anything for me
I just have to say the words – and that’s the hard part.
The city is bigger than expected, a metropol almost. I was in the
outskirts up north. But having found the road I just have to follow. In
the end its name changes to Nan Lu, which means south road so I just
have to keep on the track.
After 15 km I get nearer to the outskirts. They are building a lot here.
Blocks of apartments some of them with 20-30 stories, I don’t count.
Then comes more suburbs and at last I roll on something that’s more like
a highway for a cyclist as I. 2 lanes in each direction and a shoulder
that is wide enough for 2 smaller cars. And there is not SO much broken
glass and not so much gravel and dust.
So I turn on the automatic pilot and fight forward. It’s not an exiting
road.
The only dramatic situation comes when a small car from a side road
turns left into the outer lane in my direction – and stays there, while
a truck with high speed is coming from behind. The truck disappears into
black smoke from the breaking. When I reach the spot I see a set of
black double dotted lines on the surface, is that ABS or what is the
reason?
Sometime later the road in my direction is apparently completely closed,
so traffic is let over in the opposite lane. I have to go in the wrong
direction in the shoulder, but that’s not unusual to do. A little later
the blocking is revealed. It’s one of the big trucks which have
participated in an accident, and now workers are unloading to another
truck, so it can be towed away. By the looks of the damage on the truck
it wouln’t have been nice being in the other car.
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| The city wall of Pingyao | Inside of Pingyao |
When I get to Pingyao I have problems finding out how to access the
city. There is an old part surrounded by a city wall and that’s where
I’ve decided to stay. There’s a youth hostel called Yamen Youth Hostel.
I have a small folder with a description I took at Far East in Beijing.
But getting through the gate is not easy. Cars are band but bicycles
should be able to enter. But not with luggage. I have to remove it all
and put it back when I’m inside. I find it, a single room with shower is
120, dormitory 50 RMB. With a discount caused by my Danhostel card, I
get it for 100. I want to relax in this ancient city for an extra day.
It has probably turned into a tourist trap but the buildings are
genuine.
Now I have to stay cheap in the future if my money shall last until
Xi’an which is next city where I can withdraw money.
When the bike with the help of Lu has been carried into the courtyard (it’s
a traditional Chinese buildings like Far East) he wants to carry the
panniers into the room, but I stop him asking if there is something I
can clean them with first. No, I shall not. And he calls for one of the
girls and she comes and clean them.
I talk a little with two Americans who have cycled from Chengdu to Xi’an
(the opposite of what I want to do). Get some information but have to
ask them more before hey leave tomorrow night.
I go to have a look of the town while it gets dark.
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| School children at a bridge | Yamen Hostel at night |
Great God for a city! Filled with original buildings that are 3-400
hundred years old. It’s a warm evening and what an atmosphere walking
along hundreds of Chinese lights.
Even though it’s all preserved for tourism (as for UNESCO) it can’t take
away the charm. I just walk around enjoying it.
I end up eating some place where she promised me I could have Gong Bao
Ji Ding for 16 RMB. I had looked at the serving at my own restaurant and
the prizes – Pizza and pasta and a few Chinese dishes.
The chicken appear to be more spicy than before. I’m sitting with sweat
on my forehead. It must be the original recipe from Sichuan, there
famous for having the most spicy food in China.
Going to an early bed and maybe watch a little CCTV9.
106.05 km
18.53 km/t
5:43:14 tim
28.3 km/t