Just a Blur

November 21, 2011

Airport Issue # 4. Here we go again. Another flight. This time we were heading to Chongqing and then to the Yangtze River. Since my semi-official documents aren’t working anymore, I finally had a good strategy to try out. I am going to pack most of my heavier items into one suitcase. I will also stuff my backpack (which was originally my carry-on) in this same suitcase and bring it on the plane as my carry on. It is a bit big to be a carry-on. But usually when getting to the gate, if they think your bag is too big, they don’t normally weigh your bags after you’ve gone through security. They would either place it at the front of the plane or place with the rest of the checked-in luggage. Since it would be a more difficult task for them to weigh my bag and check it in, I wouldn’t get charged (I think). The only problem now is that all my liquids have to go into my checked luggage, which is supposed to be below 20 kilograms. 

So when approaching the airline counter, Ani and I had pretty packed bags. So we were both nervous. We approached the counter and we both were overweight (from all the family-style dinners we had in China…joke). She was 26 kilograms and I was 23 kilograms. We both quickly went through our bags, pulling things out of it and carrying it by hand. On the other hand, Norma, who went to a different line, was 10 kilograms over the restricted weight. They just took her bags without thinking twice. Ani and I were so confused. We were barely over and were going to be charged for our extra weight. Next time, we need to follow Norma. Things just seem to happen for her. Maybe, it’s her charm? After a little while adjusting, both of ours just barely made the weight. So I walked out down to my gate with my heavy, bulging suitcase and a lot of personal items in hand. Ben also gave me his carry-on to use for some of my more heavier items; like 10 books, a year’s supply of batteries, three medicine bags (with numerous anti-itch creams, anti-diarrheal pills, and birth control),and 12 menstrual cycles worth of tampons and pads. The tampons and pads weren’t that heavy but it definitely added a nice touch to whole ensemble. I would have loved to see the look of whoever did a security check on his bag. But nevertheless, I made it. Now two more to go in China!

Chongqing. It was all a blur. We literally got off the airport in Chongqing, met our new tour guide, went to an old temple, learned about the Yangtze River in a museum, drank some tea at another tea ceremony, and prepared to dock the ship. Our tour guide, 'Blank', told us a little about the city. Chongqing is known for their spicy food, hot pot, and their population (almost 30 million people exceeding Beijing and Shanghai, most populated city in China). 'Blank' told us that he paid someone to take one piece of our luggage to the ship and that if we need more help we would have to pay. Then without substantial notice, he literally gave all our bags away to these random street men who quickly ran off with them. They seriously ran. I started to follow them a bit but our tour guide kept on assuring me that they were keeping our baggage safe. It’s not the greatest feeling, watching all your belongings taken by a running stranger during nighttime. After a long walk, we finally got to the boat we were supposed to take down the Yangtze River. Our luggage was there and we were all relieved. I was happy that we would be spending the next three days on this boat cruising down this famous and gorgeous river.

To start our trip down the river, a couple of us shared some white and black Russians (some more than others) in the boat’s bar. We met the bartenders and had some good conversation. But again, a blur. For all my readers’ sake (all 2 or 3 of you), I can’t really write any more about this city, my experience in it, and any other flibber flabber I can bestow to you.

 

Cruising Down the Yangtze River. I am cruising on a riverboat down the Yangtze River. Isn’t that cool to say? Not many people can say that. Well, actually that’s what I told other people. I didn’t lie though. I did exaggerate. I was on a riverboat nevertheless. But I wasn’t cruising down the river Huckleberry Finn style or anything. It was a pretty nice riverboat with a standard dining room and a bar/dance floor. However, it was still modest in many ways. The floors would pop up and down every time you took a step. The shower and sink water ran a muddy brown color with a distinct smell (at least mine did). And there weren’t any rock climbing walls or water slide pool extravaganzas on the top floor of the boat. But this ride down one of the longest and most beautiful rivers in the world was one of the best experiences I’ve had in China so far. The history and culture of the river is so remarkable. Best of all, I got to touch the Yangtze River water! I touched the Yangtze River! Actually, it was pretty filthy water so I don’t know how excited I should get. I should first wait for which parasites I’ve gotten before celebrating.

The Yangtze River. This river used to a standard sized river with prominent gorges along its path. It still has these characteristics but nowadays the river is much fuller than most expected it to be. Hundreds of years ago the water was less than 100 meters deep. Now, the river is about 170 meters deep. Over the years, thousands of small villages and large cities have been flooded and destroyed. Presently, these towns are underwater. Many people had to relocate to higher ground. The elders of these towns did not want to leave their homes so it became really tough for them to move on. Many people took down their homes brick by brick and used the same bricks to build up their new homes. But after seeing how many towns and how many people (millions) have had to relocate, I can’t even imagine the process behind taking homes down to build them back up again. After seeing a large painting of the Yangtze River before and after, even the surroundings have changed significantly. The gorges (deep canyons carved by rivers) aren’t as prominent and some of the smaller islands are now beneath water. Because of the endless flooding, the Three Gorges Dam was built to regulate the water flow. This was what are journey was leading us to. Our boat first starts in Chongqing. We then travel to the famous Yangtze Ghost Town and White Emperor’s City. Along the way, we get a beautiful view the different gorges along the way. And to end our trip, we get to see the famous Three Gorges Dam and pass through the river locks. To Be Continued…