The Spring City

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  Kunming, Yunnan, China
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Having made my way to Guilin safely, I faced the task of tackling my first Chinese train experience. I trekked the 500m or so from the bus station (swinging wildly, to fight off the hordes of fruit sellers and hotel touts) and arrived at the station. Initial thought was 'what do I do?'... Crowds everywhere, hustle and bustle and a generally confusing scene. Second thought was 'I'll read the signs and buy a ticket'. Problem solved! I'd been led to believe that Chinese train stations were a bit of a melee, with the concept of a queue being a foreign, alien idea that only suckers subscribed to. Not true.. I got in line and 20 minutes later I was the proud owner of a hard sleeper ticket. I entered the waiting hall, which was huge and completely full (with people waiting for my train as it turns out). The bell went to signify our train's arrival, and the crowd stood and moved as one. I was carried along by the sea of people, and found myself rather handily plonked on my bed.

Nothing really to report on the 20 hour journey itself, other than the fact I shared a compartment with 3 fantastic guys

Ooooh look, a birdy.

. They were unbelievably generous (almost to the point where I was embarrassed), curious and welcoming. they seemed genuinely delighted that I'd take the effort to visit their country... Over the beer, noodles, buns etc which they INSISTED I took, they told me they were old friends, and were on their way from Xiamen to Kunming to help grow their new scarf making company. They made the trip a million times better than it would have been, and as such, I wish them long life and prosperity.

Initial impressions of Kunming where that it was an ugly urban sprawl, the type that China has become synonymous with. With this in mind I headed to the quiet looking area of town, next to Green Lake Park, the University and the zoo. Turns out to have been a stonking good choice of location, but a pisspoor choice of hostel. Hostel first - cold, noisy, two squat toilets with doors that don't really shut (I've seen some awful, awful things these past two days), lack of people to meet and worst of all NO SHOWER!! What the hell? I freely admit that I currently smell worse than Hulk Hogan's briefs (on a hot day).

Kunming next - it's grown on me significantly since my first impressions. Have spent these two days walking around the city, which seems affluent and fast paced, but with plenty of serene pockets in which it is easy to get away from it all

Oooh look, more birdies!

. My favourite being Green Lake Park, just next door to where I'm staying. This place is basically a number of 'boulevards' (have no idea how to spell that word) linking small islands in a large lake. A great place to wander for hours, with leafy trees lining every walking way and hundreds of birds flying and swimming in the lake. Everywhere you walk, there will be groups of old chinese men jamming in little bands (playing instruments that I don't even know the name of), or people doing synchronised line dancing etc. Real community feel here, and it's been a highlight. Lowlight was the zoo, which had unsuprisingly poor conditions. The King Of The Jungle doesn't seem so mighty when he's sitting on a bare concrete floor in a 10x10 'cell'.

Basically, two days of wandering lost through a city, taking photographs, eating 2 yuan noodles, taking in a few sights and growing fond of the place generally. Still, will be pleased to get somewhere smaller and to find a decent place to lay my head. Dali tomorrow...

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Contemplating	I scared the crap out of her and she legged it.	I want a turn.	Sweet graffiti
Zoo	Temple goer	Monkeys in the city	Temple
R	Couple	Green Lake Park	Stranded
Nice city for strolling	More lakeside	Some pals	B
Communal dance in the park

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