[BACK] [NEXT]
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.
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.
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.