Train to Guilin (actually to Liuzhou)
Trip Start
May 24, 2008
1
5
14
Trip End
Aug 11, 2008
Liuzhou,
Guangxi Zhuang,
China
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
At first things weren't so bad. I was ind of happy that I found a place to stay in the park and I thought I might even end up staying an extra night.
However, the walk up the mountain was actually pretty tireing, even tho I wasn't the one carrying the suitcase. Then when we finally got to the "hotel", I wasn't very happy with it, but I didn't say anything. Its probably good that I didnt, it was the tourguide's sister's place. There were alot of flies, and since I've learned (the hard way) that I'm very allergic to mosquito-killing coils, I asked them to light one before we left to look at more scenery.
Before we had gotten to the hotel I was hoping to ditch the tourguide. But once we got there I was very turned around and thought I'd get lost on my own. So he took me to a couple more places to take pictures then we were back at the hotel by 3:30. I wanted to explore on my own but he didnt want to let me. I ended up feeling very trapped. I wont go into the grumpy details but I was definitly not in a good state of mind. I told him I wanted to leave the next day so he suggested i look at some caves first.
The next morning (today) I woke up fairly early as usual and expected to set out early. But I couldn't find the guide so again I felt trapped and hated not being able to do things on my own. Eventually he came back and we finally set off at 11. If you know me well you know I usually get up at 6 or 7 so getting moving at 11 is kinds late, especially when I'm travelling.
We walked with my stuff to the bus stop and it wasn't until we were there that he told me I would have to pay for his admission into the cave too. This was like the breaking point for me, so I told him I wouldn't pay for him and I changed my mind and wanted to go to the train station right away instead.
Things with him kept going downhill from there, as he charged me for 2 full days so I felt pretty cheated in the end. From the whole experience I vowed bot to use a tour guide again, especially since I like being alone anyway.
So today I bought my train ticket. A soft sleeper, since that means less people would stare at me. I get to my room to find that I'm sharing with 3 other people. They look pretty young so I ask them if they're students. They say no, they work now. I asked what they do...
As luck would have it, they're all tour guides...
